Alcovy Shores Changes Water Rates

The Alcovy Shores Water and Sewerage Authority (ASWSA) conducted one of its four quarterly meetings last week with the first order of business as officially accepting the resignation of Juanita Gazaway as one of four board members.

Mrs. Gazaway, the water authority superintendent, submitted her resignation earlier this year as her service on the authority would seem to conflict with her being a paid employee of the authority.

In resigning her position, Ruth Wimberley was named as the replacement authority member by the Jasper County Board of Commissioners. Mrs. Gazaway served as board secretary and relinquished that duty to Ms. Wimberley as well.

In addition to the newly named member, Mary Anne Hyde, Gerald Bramblett, and Gail Meyers also currently serve on the authority until each term expires in May 2015.

The preponderance of last week’s meeting was spent revising the current water rates, penalties and fines schedule of the water authority. Authority members discussed increasing water rates as charged per thousand gallons to a base rate of $13 from the current $7 per thousand gallon. The last rate increase was in 2012.

Penalties and fines for illegal water usage by perpetrators was also revised with a fee increase to $300 for the first offense, $600 for the second offense, and $900 for the third offense.

After hours reconnect fees will increase from $75 to $100 per call. Office hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any reconnect calls not within those hours will be charged the increased rate.

Security deposits for property owners and banks will increase to $125 with a $20 nonrefundable administrative fee while non-property owners will be assessed a $225 security deposit fee of which $150 will be refundable. The person receiving the refundable fee must also be named at the time the deposit is placed. Meter installation fees will also increase from $2,000 to $2,500.

Water authority payments are due by 5 p.m. on the 14th of each month after which a $15 late fee will be assessed.

Authority members unanimously approved the changes to the fee schedule until such time that the final written document outlining the changes are composed and reviewed for final approval. A November 11 meeting has been scheduled, posted, and advertised for the authority to review the final document.

Authority members also made an addendum to their by-laws outlining their regular meeting months as January, April, July, and October at 484 Blue Heron Drive. The addendum also outlines that board members will be appointed by the BOC from a list of qualified nominees submitted by the authority members.

The next meeting of the ASWSA is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the authority office.