Alcovy Shores Authority Plans Upgrades

Alcovy Shores Water and Sewer Authority members including chairman David Story, vice-chairman Gail Myers, and secretary Juanita Gazaway voted on security and budgetary issues during their first meeting of the new year last Thursday.

Last week’s meeting was the second of such since the all new board was appointed by the county commission in June 2006. Former members Jim Brown, Bobby McDaniel, and MaryAnn Hyde each decided not to seek reappointments.

The first action Thursday was a vote to employ Ozburn Contractors of Covington in replacing the aviation lights on the new pedisphere tank and replacing the tank’s outside latch for a total cost of $425. The lights, some 150 feet elevated, had been out of operation over the past eight months, according to Mrs. Gazaway.

The secretary also reported that a new rotary phase converter had been installed and was working well with the booster pump. Additionally, water line repairs and emergency maintenance for the authority is being handled by D&J Pipeline of Mansfield, she said.

Discussions on installing a new security system around the premises of the office and tank were tabled for further review.

With regard to finances, office manager Mrs. Hyde reported that the monthly expense format would be reorganized to reflect the actual income received not anticipated.

Members reviewed the authority’s 2006 income and expense report in addition to approving a 2007 budget. The income for last year was reported at $129,000 with expenses of $120,000.

The current year’s income was estimated at approximately $126,000 with more than 90 percent of that figure coming from water sales and the remainder from meter connections and security deposits.

Expenditures were valued at $110,000 between two salaried positions, utilities, water payments to Newton County, loans, maintenance, parts and supplies. Any revenues in excess of the standard expenditures will be placed in the contingency fund.

Authority members voted to undergo a complete audit, per Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) guidelines, by McLemore, McNair & Middlebrooks.