Delaware County wastewater board removes $50-per-meeting pay, adopts amended 2026 salary ordinance

The Delaware County Regional Wastewater board voted to adopt an amended 2026 salary ordinance that removes the board member per-meeting payment, the board said at its March meeting. Legal counsel introduced the amendment and asked the board to introduce, suspend the rules and approve the ordinance the same day.

Legal counsel told the board that the only change from the previously circulated document was removal of the sentence authorizing board member compensation, and that the remaining language — including attorney compensation — would remain unchanged. "We did some extensive research and that does still make it an issue even if it's just a dollar," the attorney said, explaining the change is intended to avoid conflicts when elected officials hold both offices.

The board discussed conflict-of-interest safeguards and confirmed that members complete conflict forms and abstain from votes where a personal elected position could create a conflict. The board also instructed staff to correct a clerical reference to the treasurer in the draft ordinance before final signing.

Penny, serving as clerk for roll calls, recorded the final vote. Counsel noted that two members who would be directly affected by the pay provision abstained from the adoption vote; the board confirmed the measure still achieved a majority and was approved. The ordinance can be amended in the future, and counsel noted Indiana statute permits the board to pay up to $150 if the board later chooses to reinstate compensation.

The board directed staff to reflect the change in the minutes and to obtain signatures where required; no further action on the ordinance was scheduled at the meeting.