Turkey Creek Dam and Levee board members Todd Mikel and Judy Roberts prepare for the annual meeting. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The 2025 budget for Turkey Creek Dam and the Dike Conservancy was approved at the quarterly board meeting Friday, Oct. 25.

The adopted rate of $0.0226 will provide the funds needed for a budget of $319,000 next year. The board budgeted $169,000 for the general fund and $150,000 for the cumulative conservation enhancement fund.

However, the exact tax rate for 2025 will not be known until the end of December, after a review by the Department of Local Government Finance. The rate is expected to be reduced.

During the budget discussion, Board Chairman Bill Pipp reviewed the August and September financial statements. It also provided information on the forecast cash position at the end of 2024, ahead of the second half tax distribution.

“We will end the year with money in our account,” Pipp said, adding that there are still funds remaining from private donations received before the conservancy was established. “Our goal is to always have that at our fingertips,” he said.

Pipp noted that there are funds available for lake level project management and automation of the water control device.

Later in the meeting, the district signed an agreement with Beregszazi Consulting Services Inc., Fort Wayne, called BCS, to increase the search engine optimization of the district’s website and improve the information made available to the audience.

The new contract includes an annual service fee of $24,000, which will be reviewed annually. That’s about $16,000 more than the district currently pays.

Lana Beregszazi, owner, presented the proposal at the meeting. The proposal included keeping the district website current and informative, easy access to information and resources, social media development and management, Google My Business listing optimization, blogging, mail campaigns electronics, mailings, live streaming of board meetings, heat mapping/website user video recording and historical water level graphical data.

Pipp suggested including links to all associations in the district and including posters with QR codes on the site to learn about current water levels and temperatures.

The website, Turkeycreekddcd.org, currently provides lake levels, water temperatures and 24-hour precipitation totals, projects, news, resources and district information.

ECO Systems Update

Herb Manifold, Ecosystems Connections Institute, provided an update on the water level management program. He reported that sensors have been calibrated at Leeland/Martin Creek, Turkey Creek and Dillon Creek. Additionally, water level information is tied to the state mandate and is available on the website.

He said CSX had obtained permission to install a gauge on the rail bridge under a perpetual lease. The gauge is located inside the bridge. Gauges have also been installed at Papakeechie as well as a water monitoring device.

Gauges indicate water flow, water depth and temperature.

Part of the model, currently being built, involves calculating the time it takes for water to flow from the south end of the lake to the water control device. ECI also works with Alan Tehan to coordinate the data.
An engineering report on the underwater inspection and a report from Advanced Diving Inc. on the inspection of the water control device were filed. An executive session was held following the meeting regarding contractual matters.

During other questioning, it was noted that Judy Roberts and Carolyn Anderson are working to obtain the necessary signatures on petitions to be elected to the board in 2025. Both have already been appointed and will run for office. election to continue serving on the board of directors. The election will take place at the annual meeting on February 8, which will be the next meeting of the board of directors.

The annual meeting will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the first quarter board meeting at 9:30 a.m. Both meetings will be held at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation.