Centerville has secured a $4 million forgivable loan for wastewater improvements.
Council President Dan Wandersee announced Indiana Finance Authority’s approval of its State Revolving Fund loan at council’s Sept. 8 meeting.
Centerville will need a $1,638,000 loan to complete the work, but a $5 million bond is being paid off to make that possible.
The nearly $6 million improvements would include lining the town’s oldest sewer pipes and laterals on the southeast side, standardizing lift station controls, and adding an ultraviolet treatment basin.
Wandersee said the town will be “under the gun” to meet the required deadlines.
Councilor Jack Bodiker said he’s glad the town pursued the forgivable loan because towns could get less funding in future years because of Indiana General Assembly’s planned changes for property taxes.
Wandersee said his understanding is that the forgivable loan likely won’t continue for that purpose, so Centerville is very fortunate to receive it.
Electric rates
Wandersee distributed Indiana Municipal Power Agency’s July electric rate comparison. Centerville is a member community.
When comparing residential use of 2,000 kilowatt-hours, IMPA members paid an average $248.63. Duke Energy was the next lowest ($292.57), then American Electric Power ($303.80), AES Indiana ($307.22), Northern Indiana Power ($437.83) and CenterPoint Energy ($438.47).
IMPA rates were the lowest for general commercial needs and second after AEP for large commercial/industrial.
IMPA crews were expected to return to Centerville this week to resume electrical system upgrades after helping with storm-related repairs elsewhere.
Flood updates
Centerville collected nearly 16 tons of flood-damaged debris. While not finalized, rental for seven dumpsters and disposal fees were estimated at $2,700.
Of the town’s 23 August building permits, fees were waived for the 10 properties with flood damage. All home inspections have been completed, and no properties have more than 51% damage.
Repairs were made to College Corner Road, which had some buckling after the flood. Paving also is planned on North First Street in the next two weeks where rain damaged an approximately 6×15 section.
Slick said he believes all sewer plant damages have been repaired.
He’s attending Indiana Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management’s conference in Muncie at Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s recommendation.
Wandersee distributed information from Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce to help farmers and businesses who suffered losses in the flooding. To learn more, call 765-962-1511.
In other business
If Indiana Department of Transportation agrees to meet with Main Street Centerville to discuss removal of some downtown parking spaces, at least one councilor will try to attend. Main Street also is planning an Oct. 17 fall festival.
Centerville Police Department’s Jason Clouse has resigned because of health issues. CPD received permission to begin the hiring process.
Nineteen code enforcement investigations took place in August; all were cleared without enforcement.
Council voted to support Town Manager Kevin Slick applying for Community Crossings road paving funds.
First responders will offer a pork chop meal for donations at 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Fire Station 1, 414 S. Morton Ave. Proceeds support holiday food box deliveries to residents in need. Cash donations likely will be collected in October through a fill-the-boot campaign.
Council rescheduled its 7 p.m. Sept. 29 work session at town hall, 220 E. Main St., to Sept. 28 because some town leaders will be attending a state conference. It will include a public hearing about the 2027 budget, which councilors will likely adopt Oct. 13. The public is invited.
A version of this article appeared in the September 16 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
