History

In the late 1950’s, property owners of the original Oak Park Subdivision, near Jeffersonville, Indiana, came together to discuss the local need of specific utility services.  On July 15, 1960, the Clark County Circuit Court, in accordance with Indiana Code 14-33, appointed the first Board of Directors to form the Oak Park Conservancy District (OPCD) with the purpose of providing sanitary sewer, water distribution, and limited stormwater drainage services.  The “District” was governed by this three member Board of Directors and managed by only a couple of employees.

Today

The OPCD currently provides sanitary sewer services for approximately 3,300 properties.  OPCD and Clark County currently share drainage responsibilities.  Clark County handles road right of way drainage and the Lancassange Creek basin; which after the annexation takes effect, will become the responsibility of the City of Jeffersonville.  OPCD manages drainage easements which are outside of the road right of way. A small not for profit water company is also managed by the OPCD, serving 438 customers.  There are four other water companies (Indiana American, Riverside, Watson, and Sellersburg) providing water service within the OPCD boundaries. Over the years, the workforce of OPCD has increased to 10 employees due to the enlarged size of the District and the increasing requirements of state and federal regulations.

What is a Conservancy District?

A Conservancy District is a special taxing district, operating under the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which has the authority to plan, develop, and operate water related services.  Out of the nine possible water utility purposes, OPCD serves the three purposes mentioned in the History section of this page.

Government Oversight

OPCD is also governed by EPA, IDEM, State Board of Accounts and IURC.  The Oak Park Conservancy District receives funding through a special benefit tax paid directly to the Clark County Auditor's office with the property tax.  The rates are based on the assessed value of the property.  This method of rate payment was set up by the Indiana legislature. Below you will find the OPCD sewer rates for the last several years ('AV' stands for 'Assessed Valuation' of the District).  Also, OPCD started providing limited stormwater drainage responsibilities in 2003.

Current Board of Directors

Chairman, Bruce Herdt                  Representing Area 2

Vice Chairman, Charlie Milburn    Representing Area 1

Board Meeting Dates

All OPCD Board meetings start at 6:00 p.m. and are open to the public.  If you would like to be placed on the agenda to speak to the Board, please contact our office at least forty-eight (48) hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays) before the meeting at least two business days in advance and provide your name and the topic you would like to discuss.  For 2010, the regularly scheduled Board meeting dates are as follows:

January 5 & 19
February 2 & 16
March 2 & 16
April 13 & 27
May 11 & 25
June 8 & 22
July 6 & 20
August 10 & 24
September 14 & 28
October 12 & 26
November 9 & 23
December 7 & 30