District News

This page will feature news releases by the District relating to meetings, petition and road referendum updates, elections, and more. This page will be regularly updated. If landowners have any questions about a news story, you may contact the District at 561-747-0550 or via e-mail at sirwcd@sirwcd.org.

 

The District's Notes and News newsletter also provides information of interest to landowners and is mailed out a few times per year.

 

Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino presents a proclamation to Board of Supervisors and Manager of Operations of South Indian River Water Control Districg

 

South Indian RIver Water Control District Receives Proclamation from Palm Beach County

The South Indian River Water Control DIstrict received a proclamation celebrating its 100th Anniversary from Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino at the 29th Annual Landowners Family Day on March 18, 2023. From left to right - Supervisors John Meyer, Tom Powell, Palm Beach County Commissioner Maria Marino, Manager of Operations Michael Dillon, Supervisors John Jones and Susan Kennedy.



South Indian River Water Control District Holds Dedication of Work Center

South Indian River Water Control District held an open house and dedication of the Stephen J. Hinkle Work Center on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. The Board of Supervisors and District staff were joined by special guest speakers, Jill Heppleston and Forrest Hinkle, the wife and son of Stephen Hinkle. Board President John Meyer and Manager of Operations Michael Dillon also spoke to the attendees.

Visitors toured the new conference room where District meetings are conducted, and the program and refreshments were set up in the new workshop. After the program, a new front entrance sign was revealed, featuring the addition of the Stephen J. Hinkle Work Center.

Special thanks are extended to Jillian Simensky of the Jupiter Farms Residents Board and Supervisor Susan Kennedy for preparing table settings and the beautifully decorated floral arrangements for the event. District employees prepared the Work Center, set up the seating, and helped serve the guests.

Board of Supervisors and Guests reveal new District entrance sign.

South Indian River Water Control Work Center Conference Room.

Supervisor John Jones and Manager of Operations Michael Dillon.

Supervisor John Meyer, Jill Heppleston and Sara Anne Meyer.

From left: District employees, Dustin Fazio and Arie Raz, and Supervisor Michael Howard.

Forrest Hinkle and Jill Heppleston attend work center dedication to Stephen J. Hinkle.



South Indian River Water Control District Water Control Structure at Canal 14.

New Telemetry System for Jupiter Farms Now Operational

At a Board of Supervisors Board Meeting held on June 17, 2021, the Board approved a recommendation by the Manager of Operations, Michael Dillon, to replace the outdated telemetry system for Canals 2 through 5 and 14 in Jupiter Farms as a capital improvement project in the 2021-2022 Proposed Budget. The cost of $164,000 was based on proposals from vendors with expertise in constructing these types of systems. The system is now installed and operational.

What is telemetry? According to Wikipedia, “Telemetry is the automatic recording and transmission of data from remote or inaccessible sources to an IT system in a different location for monitoring and analysis.” Some major uses of telemetry include communications, meteorology, military intelligence, flight testing, and health care. Telemetry is an automated communications process, which is usually associated with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems comprised of computers, networked data communications and graphical user interfaces. This allows for high-level supervisory management of data and the ability to send control commands to devices in the field.

There are five water control structures in the system that are intended to improve groundwater recharge and reduce over-drainage during the District’s dry season. It also is designed to improve water quality of runoff discharged into the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. The District’s Telemetry System for the structures enables management to control gate elevations, as well as monitor headwater/tailwater levels from the District’s Work Center, instead of manually making changes and taking readings in the field. This is particularly important during storm events.

Originally installed as part of the 9th Plan of Improvements begun in 2005, the telemetry system has become outdated and is no longer functioning as originally designed. Over the past couple of years, the system is showing its age and parts are becoming obsolete, so a complete upgrade is in order. The District Engineer originally provided initial construction plans, specifications, permitting and design of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system in 2005, as well as construction inspection services and project certifications. Each water control structure contained a sheet pile weir with concrete cap from approximately 30 feet to 50 feet wide and an operable dual-gate structure that is 72 inches wide by 48 inches tall. Each gate was designed with telemetry in order to control them remotely at the District Work Center. The structures may also be operated manually.



Board Supervisors and District Staff attend 1000th Driveway Replacement Culvert Ceremony Held in Jupiter Farms.

South Indian River Water Control District Holds Ceremony for 1000th Driveway Replacement Culvert Installation

On October 26, 2020, South Indian River Water Control District's Supervisors and staff celebrated the installation of the 1000th driveway culvert. located on 133rd Trail N in Jupiter Farms, as part of the ongoing Driveway Culvert Replacement Program. Shown from left to right: Steve Sears; Philip Walton; Michael Roman; Vice President, Supervisor Tom Powell; President, Supervisor Stephen Hinkle; Supervisor, John Jones; Max Delle; and Supervisor Michael Howard.

As a public/private partnership, the Driveway Culvert Replacement Program has been a great success and is popular with District landowners, offering replacement installation options at a reasonable cost. For driveway culverts in a South Indian River Water Control District easement, this cost is typically $600 to cover materials for a single basic 18" x 20' culvert and $1200 for a single basic 21'-40' long culvert. Installation is done by the District. Upgrades from a basic installation are at the owner’s expense. This program applies to replacement culverts only or a second culvert on an existing home, not new home construction or temporary culvert installations. The purpose of the program is to help improve drainage in the District.

The District's network of swales and driveway culverts is integral to the overall management of stormwater, working in conjunction with the District’s canal system. District drainage relies on gravity and swales that are designed to convey and hold stormwater from landowners' property and roadways, allowing it to be released slowly into canals or to infiltrate slowly into the ground. Considered a Best Management Practice for managing stormwater, swales are important for filtering pollutants, such as phosphorous, nitrogen, nitrates, and oils, through the soil and reducing water quality impacts on nearby surface waters, such as the Loxahatchee River. In addition, swales aid in recharging groundwater, which is the source of water for our private wells.

With the District nearing 90% build-out, there has been a decrease in open land and ponds that can store water, while at the same time, more runoff is being generated. This makes the swale and connecting driveway culvert system even more important for stormwater management.

Landowners are responsible for the maintenance of their driveway culverts. Culverts should be regularly inspected by the landowner to ensure they are functioning properly and are not blocked with debris or have been crushed or damaged and may need to be cleaned or replaced. Contact the District Office at 561-747-0550 or sirwcd@sirwcd.org to schedule an inspection.

See our Permits and Culverts page for details, options and costs for the Driveway Culvert Replacement Program.



Updated Culvert Replacement Information

At the July 16, 2020 Zoom Video Conference, the South Indian River Water Control District Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to add a fee of $100 to the cost of the Driveway Culvert Replacement Program if the District must remove existing concrete or asphalt that had been previously placed over the culvert.

At the August 20, 2020 Zoom Video Conference, the South Indian River Water Control District Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to increase the fees for the cost of the Driveway Culvert Replacement Program if the culverts are on County roadways not assessed for road maintenance. Costs will include materials, labor and equipment. Due to increasing material costs, for a 24" diameter 30' long culvert the cost will be $1292.00. For a 24" diameter 40' culvert the cost will be $1615.00.

As of October 1, 2021, the costs for the Driveway Culvert Replacement Program to replace culverts that have collapsed, been damaged or are undersized have increased. The cost of a single basic 20 ft culvert installation is $600.00 and is $1200.00 for a 21-40 ft culvert installation on a District roadway. For culverts on a county road that is assessed for road maintenance, the fee is $1037.00 for a basic 24 in. diameter by 30' long mitered end pipe installation (landowners are responsible for poured surface and concrete headwalls on county road driveway culverts). For a 24" diameter by 40' long culvert the cost will be $1360.00.

Landowners are responsible for the maintenance of their driveway culverts and must notify the District when their culvert is no longer functioning properly. This is essential to ensure proper stormwater management.

However, please note that while performing road and swale maintenance or during routine inspection of the water control system, District personnel may find driveway culverts that are inoperable or undersized that have not been reported. In order to maintain proper drainage, the culvert or culverts must be replaced. In these cases, the landowner will be notified of the situation by a door-hanger and a certified letter instructing them to contact the District office to schedule a replacement installation.

Under Florida Statutes 298.66, a person may not willfully, or otherwise, obstruct any public canal, drain, ditch or water-course or damage or destroy any public drainage works con-structed in or maintained by any district.

Under the statute, the Board of Supervisors has the authority to assess double the actual cost for culvert installation for landowners who fail to pay for the culvert replacements under these situations.

For more information on the District’s Driveway Culvert Replacement Program please call the District office or visit our Culverts page.


 

Manager of Operations Michael Dillon, left, and Board President Stephen Hinkle award certificate to landowner Bill Dean.

Jupiter Farms Resident William Dean Deeds Drainage Easement to South Indian River Water Control District

South Indian River Water Control District Manager of Operations Michael Dillon and Board President Stephen Hinkle presented William Dean with a certificate of appreciation on May 1, 2018, to acknowledge his deeding of a drainage easement on his property on Sandy Run in Jupiter Farms to the District. Mr. Dean, who established William Dean Homes in 1986, is a longtime resident of Jupiter Farms and has seen the increase in home and business construction in the area over the years. “With ongoing development and reduction in water storage areas, I felt that providing the District with an easement for maintenance, storage, and enhanced drainage was extremely important for our community,” Dean said.

“The deeding of this drainage easement to South Indian River Water Control District will provide immediate benefits to the surrounding area,” said Hinkle. “The Board of Supervisors is very grateful to Mr. Dean for his cooperation and contribution to improving drainage and stormwater management for the well-being of his neighbors in Jupiter Farms.”

Mr. Dean is continuing to work with Mr. Dillon on other properties to determine if deeded easements would provide additional benefits when it comes to stormwater runoff and retention.

If any property owners in Jupiter Farms or Palm Beach Country Estates are interested in deeding a drainage easement to the District to help improve drainage and water storage in their area, please contact Michael Dillon at the District Office at 561-747-0550.

Tom Powell Board of Supervisors

Tom Powell Re-Elected to Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors ratified the certified results of the 2023 Board of Supervisors election received from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, Wendy Sartory Link at the monthly board meeting of the South Indian River Water Control District held on Dec. 7, 2023,. Tom Powell was re-elected to the Board with 945 votes.

Mr. Powell was sworn in by the District’s Attorney, Seth Behn. Michael Howard was elected President, Tom Powell as Vice-President, and Jane Woodward as Secretary.

In addition, the following appointments were made to the committees – Thomas Powell and John Jones - Budgeting; Susan Kennedy - Communications; John Jones - Parks, Recreation and Water; and John Meyer and Michael Howard - Policies and Procedures.



Manatees!

Mother and baby manatees were spotted in a canal in the District!

Mother and baby manatees in a canal

Mother and baby manatees side by side in canal


 

Susan Kennedy and John Meyer win 2021 Board of Supervisors Election.

Supervisors Sworn in at South Indian River Water Control District Board of Supervisors Monthly Meeting

At the monthly meeting of the South Indian River Water Control District held on December 9, 2021, the Board of Supervisors ratified the certified results of the 2021 election received from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, Wendy Sartory Link. Susan Kennedy received 1,185 votes and John Meyer received 651 votes.

Susan Kennedy and John Meyer were sworn in by the District’s Attorney, Seth Behn.

Mr. Myer was elected President, Mr. Howard as Vice-President, and Jane Woodward as Secretary. In addition, the following appointments were made to the committees – Thomas Powell and John Jones - Budgeting; Susan Kennedy - Communications; John Jones - Parks, Recreation and Water; and John Meyer and Michael Howard - Policies and Procedures. South Indian River Water Control District serves Palm Beach Country Estates, Jupiter Farms, Egret Landing and the Jupiter Park of Commerce.

For more information contact the District office at 561-747-0550.



Mike Dillon Celebrates 25th Anniversary with the District

Manager of Operations Michael Dillon was presented with an award for 25 years of service to the District by Board of Supervisors President Tom Powell at the April 15, 2021, Board meeting. The Board thanked Mr. Dillon for his hard work, dedication, and commitment to the District and its landowners.

Mr. Dillon moved to Florida from Chesapeake, Virginia, in 1991 and was Supervisor of Field Operations for C&L Hawthorne from 1991-1996. On April 8, 1996, he began working for the South Indian River Water Control District and in 2000 was promoted to Shop Supervisor. Three years later, he advanced to Operations Superintendent where he worked closely with the General Manager on the day-to-day operations. In March 2011, Mr. Dillon was named Manager of Operations.

Mr. Dillon was instrumental in establishing the District Safety Program and headed the Program from 1998-2011. In 2000, he was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to sit on the Board of Supervisors of the North Palm Beach Heights Water Control District and was then elected for a two-year term through 2003.

He completed the Florida Institute of Government Management Development Program in 2002. He has been a board member of the Loxahatchee River Management Coordinating Council since 2010. Mr. Dillon maintains a working relationship with South Florida Water Management District, the Safety Council of Palm Beach County, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Resources Conservation Service, as well as various departments of Palm Beach County, including the Sheriff's Office, Road and Bridge, and the Department of Environmental Resources Management.



Certification of Votes Cast in the 2021 Board of Supervisors Election by the Supervisor of Elections

On November 16, 2021, Wendy Satory Link, Supervisor of Elections for Palm Beach County, certified the record of votes cast in the South Indian River Water Control District, 2021 Election of Supervisors received on September 17, 2021.

The winners were Susan A. Kennedy with 1,185 votes and John A. Meyers with 651 votes. The Board of Supervisors will vote to accept the certification at their Board Meeting on December 9, 2021. Election of officers and nominations of committee chairs for the 2021-2022 fiscal year also will be held.



Tom Powell Elected Supervisor in 2020 Election

One Supervisor was elected for a term of three (3) years. Wendy Sartory Link, as Supervisor of Elections for Palm Beach County, has certified on September 24, 2020 that the following record of the votes cast in the SOUTH INDIAN RIVER WATER CONTROL DISTRICT, ELECTION OF SUPERVISOR received on September 21, 2020 is correct according to records on file in the Supervisor of Elections Office:

Thomas Powell - 735 ballots - 1,140 votes
Write-In - 10 ballots - 12 votes

The Board of Supervisors ratified the certified South Indian River Water Control District election results at their October 15, 2020 meeting. Thomas Powell was sworn in by the District's Attorney, William Capko.

Stephen Hinkle was named President, Thomas Powell as Vice President and Jane Woodward as Secretary. In addition, the following appointments were made to the committees - Thomas Powell and John Jones as Chairs of the Budgeting Committee; John Meyer as Communications Committee Chair; John Jones as Parks, Recreation and Water Committee Chair; and John Meyer and Michael Howard as Policies and Procedures Committee Chairs.

If you have any questions contact the District office at 561-747-0550.



Modification to Policy and Procedure Manual Appendix 12-C Section 4

At a Zoom Board of Supervisors meeting held on June 11, the Board approved modification to Appendix 12-C, Section 4 of the South Indian River Water Control District Policy and Procedure Manual to provide clarification on drainage and irrigation connections to the works of the District and to add requirements specifically to pump connections. The District strongly discourages the use of a pump to discharge into its system. Certain hardships and conditions must be demonstrated by an applicant in order to be granted a temporary permit to discharge by pump into the District’s system. A hardship shall include but is not limited to:

• Pumping to protect against imminent flood damage to permitted structures
• Protection against damage caused to livestock (equine or other) from prolonged standing water, if there are no areas available for the livestock to be moved to on the landowner’s site or the landowner can provide a veterinary statement certifying that the standing water is creating harm to the livestock.
• Relief from excessive and prolonged standing water in excess of the seasonal high ground water table or pond control elevation of the property for twelve (12) days or more after a storm event.

In addition, the policy gives guidance on the permit application process. A link to the policy is provided below.

Appendix 12-C, Section 4 Modification



Changes to Solid Waste Authority Pick Up to Affect District Landowners

South Indian River Water Control District is not responsible for trash pickup, however, landowners following the rules from the Solid Waste Authority help the District perform its maintenance and operational duties.

FROM THE SOLID WASTE AUTHORITY

NEW RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE CURBSIDE COLLECTION GUIDELINES WENT INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2019. Palm Beach County is going Automated. Every residential curbside customer will receive a new 95 gallon Cart that will be serviced by new specialized trucks. The cart will be delivered to your home by the hauler prior to the new contract start date, most likely in the month of September. • All garbage must be placed inside the Cart and will be collected two (2) days per week. • If a second Cart is needed, it may be purchased at a one-time cost of $65. The resident will not incur any additional collection or disposal charges and the hauler will be fully responsible for the repair and/or replacement of the Cart. • Please do not use your new Cart until October 1, 2019. • Bulk Service will be provided one day per week and limited to no more than three (3) items. Bulk items include appliances, furniture and any other large household items that do not fit in your Cart. Some residents may have more than three (3) items. Contact SWA Customer Service at (561) 697-2700 for an estimate to have the additional items removed. • Bulk Service will be provided on one (1) of your regular collection days. Debris from minor home repairs (Construction and Demolition Debris) will be limited to two (2) cubic yards per week. • Construction and Demolition Debris will be collected on your scheduled Bulk Service day and must be containerized (in cans or plastic bags) weighing less than fifty (50) pounds. • Containerized Construction and Demolition Debris material exceeding two (2) cubic yards will be tagged and not removed.

NEW RESIDENTIAL YARD WASTE CURBSIDE COLLECTION GUIDELINES WILL GO INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 1, 2019. Debris other than palm fronds and tree branches, such as leaves, tree and hedge trimmings, pine needles, etc. should be containerized, preferably in a garbage can, paper lawn and refuse bags, or plastic bags. Tree branches and palm fronds should be neatly stacked in a pile that does not exceed six (6) cubic yards. The Yard Waste collection limit continues to be six (6) cubic yards per week (18' Long x 3' Wide x 3' High), but under the new collection contract the hauler will no longer be servicing piles that exceed this limit. Residents are encouraged to place no more than six (6) cubic yards per week at the curb. Tree branches placed at the curb must be cut into pieces that are no more than six (6) feet in length, six (6) inches in diameter and weigh no more than fifty (50) pounds each to facilitate manual loading. Palm fronds can be any length. Piles that exceed this size will be tagged and photographed and the information forwarded to the Solid Waste Authority Customer Service Department. It will be the customer’s responsibility to arrange for the removal of the pile by either contacting the Solid Waste Authority Customer Service Department or making other arrangements to have the pile removed. If you know you are going to have more, you can call Customer Service at (561) 697-2700 to request an estimate to have the pile removed. We have included in our contract an established rate of $8.00 per cubic yard for the service. Upon payment, the material will be removed within 72 hours. Alternatively, you can contract with anyone you want to remove the material, or if you have hired a commercial landscaper, make sure they include removal in their quote. Why is this change being made? Your SWA yard waste assessment and collection service is intended for routine landscape maintenance, not debris generated by land clearing and tree removal activities. Piles that contain these materials, or that are excessively large, cannot be efficiently collected manually or mechanically and impede the ability of the waste hauler to provide quality, affordable service to the hundreds of other residential customers on the route. In short, this is being done to ensure that every residential customer receives a base level of service that meets the needs of the overwhelming majority of residents at the lowest possible cost. For additional information visit us on the web (www.swa.org) or Contact Customer Service at (561) 697-2700.



President Stephen Hinkle presents Office Administrator Holly Rigsby with award for 10 years of service.

President Stephen Hinkle presents Level 3 Operator Arie Raz an award for 20 years of service.

Board President Stephen Hinkle Presents Service Awards to Holly Rigsby and Arie Raz

South Indian River Water Control Board of Supervisors president Stephen Hinkle presented Holly Rigsby with a 10-year Service Award and Arie Raz with a 20-year Service Award.

Holly Rigsby began working in the District office part time in 2008, and in 2011 began working full time, taking over the office administrator position in May of 2012. Manager of Operations Michael Dillon notes that Mrs. Rigsby has been a joy to work with and she receives numerous compliments from landowners on her professionalism and great job she has done as Office Administrator.

Mr. Raz has been one of the most consistent operators over the last 20 years. He is a level 3 boom operator with a CDL license to drive our dump trucks. In addition, he assists the head mechanic in the shop when needed. Mr. Raz also receives a lot of compliments related to his mowing and in fact, landowners call requesting Mr. Raz to come and mow the drainage ditches in front of their properties. “We are extremely fortunate as a Special District to have such dedicated, knowledgeable, and professional staff as Mrs. Rigsby and Mr. Raz,” said Mr. Hinkle.