LASA:

Frequently Asked Questions About LASA

Who owns Loch Alpine Sanitary Authority?

LASA is a part of a local government so it is government owned. Ordinance No. 89-2 requires that the authority be operated on a combined public utility basis under the provision of act 94, Public Acts of Michigan, 1933 as amended. The Authority is incorporated as a public body pursuant to P. A. 233 of 1955; MCL 124. 281; MSA5.2769(51). The constituent municipalities are Webster Township and Scio Township. The statute also requires that the Articles of Incorporation state "the method of selecting its governing body, officers and employees."

Who runs the Authority?

The Authority is governed by a seven member board. These seven include the Township Supervisor and the Township Clerk of each of the constituent municipalities and a third member of the Township Board of each of the constituent municipality who is appointed by the Township Board of which he or she is a member. The seventh person is a member of, and is appointed by, the Board of Directors of the Loch Alpine Improvement Association. The Board elects officers such as the Chairman, Treasurer, and elects people to the Operating Committee. The Secretary/Treasurer of the Board supervises the work of the LASA Business Manager. The Operating Committee (3 person) is responsible for supervision of the operating contractor and other operational and business transactions. The Board of Directors currently includes the supervisors and treasurers of Webster Township and Scio Township, Bill Ince, a Loch Alpine resident appointed by Scio Township to serve in place of another township officer and Paul Kleinschmidt, appointed by Webster Township to serve in place of another Webster Township officer and Neil Gerl who was appointed by the LAIA Board and who was elected chairman by the LASA Board of Directors.

Who makes the rules?

The Board of Directors complies with the Operating Ordnance and Amendments, as previously discussed.

Who sets the rates and on what basis – for profit?

The Sanitary Authority is a non-profit public utility. The Board sets the rates based on operating costs and capital improvement needs to comply with the State of Michigan operating permits.

Is there a published budget?

There is a published budget available at all Quarterly Meetings or by request. Copies are available from the business manager by call Sandy Egeler. An outside auditor regularly reviews the business transactions

Do the customers have input and how?

There are four public board meetings per year, dates and times are published in the Dexter Leader, the Lore. The meetings are held at Webster Township. The Loch Alpine representative regularly receives questions from not only Loch Alpine residents but from Delhi Hills and Glen Devon.

Are the minutes published?

Minutes are available at the Quarterly Meetings or by request.

Submitted by:

Neil D. Gerl, LAIA Representative Chairman of the LASA Board

Copyright © [2008] [Loch Alpine Improvement Association]