Van Bibber Lake board sets public hearing on switch to metered volumetric billing

The Van Bibber Lake Conservancy Board on Jan. 17 approved advertising for a public hearing on Resolution 2026-01-17, a proposal to replace the district's flat-rate water charge with volumetric metered billing. The motion to advertise passed unanimously as recorded in the minutes.

Board members said the change would align customer charges with water use and asked staff to prepare residents for the transition. The board recorded that new water meters are scheduled for installation in early March; staff will begin outreach and Rebecca Bilbrey, the board chair, will draft a homeowner notice subject to attorney review about obstruction of meters and associated costs.

The board also directed attorney John Young to contact Zenner (the district's meter/software vendor) to seek contract language that would make Indiana law govern the software agreement rather than Texas law. Jeremy Staley, the water superintendent, was reminded to begin submitting timesheets to office staff as part of the operational transition.

Next steps: the district will publish the advertised public hearing for Resolution 2026-01-17 and hold a second reading and any vote at its February meeting. Further rate detail and a final effective date will be set after the public hearing and any subsequent board action.