JCWSA Moves Forward on Bridge Project
The Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority (JCWSA) has secured funding to complete the second phase of the Hwy. 16 bridge renovation project.
Executive director Linda Jordan reported that the authority had received a loan from the Bank of Monticello, as previously voted by the board, to pay D&J Pipeline to finish the pipe installation project.
Relative to the Hwy. 16 bridge project, chairman Brack Pound reported that attorney Dan Roberts was in the process of creating a proposal for the Butts County Water & Sewer Authority regarding a $15,000 loan offered by them to JCWSA. Brief on the details, the chairman said the proposed contract would be interest free.
During a discussion of the fire hydrant funding, Chairman Pound reported that the authority had not received any information regarding the county commission’s decision to reinstate, or not, the authority’s fire hydrant funding awarded by a former board of commissioners through resolution.
The chairman said that the authority had been informed, via an email from county manager Greg Williams, that all communications regarding the issue should be transferred through the attorneys for each party. Therefore, authority members unanimously voted to have their legal representatives with King & Spalding contact county attorney Kevin Brown for a response to the hydrant funding matter.
Highlights of the treasurer’s report included a quarterly loan payment to the Georgia Environmental Facilities Agency (GEFA) and deposits into the authority’s sinking fund.
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In other financial news, the JCWSA briefly discussed assisting the Turtle Cove Homeowner’s Association with acquiring a GEFA loan for water services funding that could include fire hydrant funding for the area which would lower its Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating.
In relation to the recent ISO article published in The News, Ken McMichael said that it was inaccurate. He said the article read as if the fire department was responsible for the reductions whereas JCWSA should have received more recognition for providing the hydrants. He also spoke of a rate reduction in Alcovy Shores.
During a review of construction projects, authority members approved a request to provide water service to Alcovy Bend Subdivision which is located in the authority’s current service area.
Engineer Frank Sherrill provided a brief update of the Jackson Lake Road Extension project in progress. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) representatives made a visit to the construction site last month, according to system’s operator Tom Brazil. The project is being completed with USDA grant funds remaining from the County Line Road project.
Chairman Pound said that he was feeling positive about the city of Monticello and JCWSA initiatives regarding the Cedar Creek project following a recent subcommittee meeting of the two entities. He told authority members that Monticello was in the process of spending $2 million to renovate the water plant and was committed to securing a future water supply.
Mr. Brazil reported that hydrants at Yancey Road were flushed last month as a result of a water complaint from a resident. He also said that the authority’s lead and copper samples had been tested and approved for safe levels.
In board related news, Ray Runge rejoined the authority for its September regular meeting after a brief resignation. Mr. Runge had previously thought that increased job duties would prevent him from serving effectively on the authority.
While Mr. Runge returned to serve on the authority, Trish Thurmond has resigned to pursue a teaching position with the Dept. of Defense in Germany. Both Mr. Runge and Mrs. Thurmond were appointed in June.
Chairman Pound said that it was up to the county commission to appoint a replacement and asked for possible nominations from the board.
Authority members entered into executive session to discuss a possible real estate acquisition.
Authority members attending were Merrill Clark, Foy Bentley, Mark Walton, Tate Turner, Messrs. Pound, McMichael, and Runge.