Jasper Common Council August meeting
The Jasper Common Council met Wednesday and took the following actions.
Infrastructure Projects and Water System Updates
Heard an update and overview on the Gas and Water Departments from Manager Tim Doersam. He reported the emergency backup water supply is complete, though some issues remain with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. The Mill Street water main installation between 9th and 15th Street is finished and operational. The crew successfully installed 1,200 feet of pipe on Brosmer Street, while the Skyline neighborhood project is complete with positive customer feedback, Doersam reported. Currently, 4th Street water main replacement nears completion, with filling scheduled for the weekend and sampling to begin Monday. The 13th Street water main replacement is underway with crews at the Robert Street intersection, though a main break occurred last week in the aging 1923 pipe. They are also working on a hydrology study and water assessment plan at this time.
In gas, Doersam reported they installed 132 feet of steel pipe on Eighth and Main with are working on another 150 feet at Ninth and Main.
In 2026, the department is planning for a water main replacement on 15th Street from Vine Street to the Patoka River Bridge. They are also planning to relocate a four-inch high-pressure gas line from 8th and Bartley to U.S. 231 and Fifth ahead of planned repaving on U.S. 231.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure and Business Office Improvements
Ashley Kiefe, business manager for the utilities office, reported significant progress on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project, which is 80% complete overall. Electric department customers are fully converted to new AMI meters as of March, while water stands at 80% completion and gas at 83%. The new system enables faster leak detection, remote meter disconnection, and 15-minute data increments for detailed monitoring. The Smart Meter Portal launches soon, allowing customers to monitor accounts and set alerts online. Staff receives training September 8th and 11th before customer rollout. The Jasper Insite Communication app has 1,730 downloads with 89 notifications sent, improving emergency communication capabilities throughout the city.
The business office has implemented comprehensive automation initiatives to increase efficiency and enhance customer experience. The accounts payable process has been fully automated since April, eliminating the need to print hundreds of monthly invoices and reducing the processing staff from two employees to one. Digital workflows route invoices through proper approval channels, satisfying State Board of Accounts requirements. Implementation timeline targets mid-December completion. Additionally, the office transitioned to Square Nine document management system, replacing the discontinued Centraworks system by year-end.
Kiefer reported that in 2024 the city wrote off $4,645.74, or 0.0101 percent, of unpaid utility bills out of the more than $46 million billed.
Property Rezoning for Residential Development
The council approved Ordinance 2025-12 to rezone property behind the Jasper Lofts from I2 industrial to R4 residential. The L-shaped lot borders 14th Street, Leopold, and 13th Street, with plans for ten fourplex buildings totaling 40 rental units. The development is divided into three lots with independent parking areas, accommodating the challenging topography with 30-35 feet of elevation change. Each building contains four two-bedroom units across two stories. The project was approved by the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, with both bodies recommending favorable council action. The rezoning is conditional on the property purchase, with closing dependent on council approval.
Here is a story on the project.
Legal Settlement and Donation Acceptance
City Attorney Renee Kabrick requested council authorization to execute settlement documents with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family in ongoing opioid litigation. The settlement follows state legislation transferring municipal settlement oversight to the Attorney General’s office, though individual municipal approval remains required. The settlement spans approximately 16 years with undisclosed financial terms. The council approved legal authority to proceed with document execution.
Additionally, the council accepted donations totaling $1,000 in restricted funds for the Park Department and $11,007.25 for the Jasper Community Arts ($9,657.25 unrestricted, $1,350 restricted) for June and July combined, with respective boards approving all donation restrictions.
Board Appointment Process Enhancement
The council is developing a comprehensive procedure for board appointments. A new online questionnaire system found under the “How Do I” tab on the city website, allows interested residents to express interest in specific boards and commissions. The system automatically populates spreadsheets for easy candidate review when openings arise. The process includes detailed board descriptions and meeting schedules to inform potential applicants. Submissions remain valid for three to four years before expiring, ensuring current interest levels. The council plans to review board appointment timelines in January and July annually, providing adequate preparation time for upcoming vacancies and eliminating last-minute appointment pressures.
