Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Harvey Norris, Bob Harris, Wesley Keber & Burt Jones; staff members present were Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey.
Opening Prayer – Mr. Norris opened the meeting with a prayer.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings – Mr. Harris made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the September 15, 2009 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
Employee Health Insurance Selection – Ms. Seleb reviewed historical health/dental/life insurance costs which have risen steadily from a cost of $268 monthly per employee in 2003 to a cost of $453 in 2008. She noted that based upon quotes received, the Authority can reduce those costs to $354 in the upcoming year while increasing the level of coverage. This should net approximately $40,000 in annual savings over staying with the existing plan.
Board members reviewed quotes received from Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Coventry through three different insurance brokers–Bill Fletcher, Michelle Cole and Jeff Pennington. Bill Fletcher is the Authority’s current broker and had the lowest price offered for each company.
Ms. Seleb explained that a committee of staff unit supervisors and board member Wesley Keber had reviewed the plans offered. The pricing offered by Coventry was the lowest of the three insurance companies. The committee recommended a Coventry’s Point of Service Preferred Provider Option that paid 100% in network and 70% out of network with a $500 deductible. The current insurance with Blue Cross pays 80% in network and 60% out of network with the same deductible.
Tables were presented comparing quotes, benefits by various health plans, life and dental rate comparisons. These are attached and made a part of these minutes. Based upon pricing received, a motion was made by Mr. Keber to go with Coventry for health insurance, Ameritas for dental insurance and Assurant for life insurance. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Proposals for Towaliga Watershed Plan Monitoring Proposals – The Authority has been carrying out quarterly chemical monitoring of the Towaliga Watershed since the original assessment and plan were done in 2007. An annual progress report and a biannual biological and habitat monitoring survey must also be done.
- Integrated Science and Engineering (IS&E) , the firm that did the original assessment and plan, has proposed to do the annual report for $3,500. Ms. Seleb recommended that the Authority use IS&E for the first report, using it as a template for future years.
- CCR Environmental has offered to do the biological and habitat survey at a cost of $6,995. Ms. Seleb stated that she inquired about bids from other consultants, but that CCR was the only firm recommended by other entities that do this type of study.
A motion was made by Mr. Norris to use Integrated Science for the annual Watershed monitoring this year and CCR Environmental for biannual monitoring this year. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Manager’s Report
Update on Construction Projects
The crew continues to do meter change outs and rebuilds, flushing, valve maintenance and will begin to G.P.S. hydrant & valve locations.
Operation Statistics – Ms. Seleb went over the water and sewer statistics for the month of September 2009. Water billing was down $74,000 from August at $197,924, with an active customer base of 5,188. Sewer billing for the month was down $5,000 from August at $23,417 with an active customer base of 126.
The average daily water pumped to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Ocmulgee and Stewart plants were 2.2 MGD, with maximum of 2.5 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss is 12.2%. The total amount of water pumped in September 2009 per plant was: Ocmulgee – 60 MG; Stewart – 7 MG. The average wastewater sprayed at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .147/.550 MGD with a maximum 7-day effluent of .204/.550 MGD.
Discussion of Staff Furloughs – When the Authority began one-day-per month staff furloughs in July, it was agreed to review the financial and operating situation quarterly. Ms. Seleb reported that the Authority is nicely ahead in revenues for the first quarter of FY 2010, but faces a continued standstill in growth on the system. She also noted that summer months are when the system expects its greatest share of income which will offset lower revenues in winter.
The Board advised Ms. Seleb to keep once per month staff furloughs in place for this quarter. It will be revisited at the beginning of calendar year 2010.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through September 2009. With 25% of the fiscal year having passed, the Authority has earned 35% of budgeted income and spent 26% of budgeted expenses in the Water Fund. The Sewer Fund has earned 28% of budgeted income and spent 22% of budgeted expenses for the same period. 2007-12 SPLOST funds have been used only for debt service on the expansion of the wastewater treatment facility and the West Butts water transmission main as per the budget. A copy of the financial summaries, as well as combined balance sheets and income statements are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Ms. Seleb noted that Haisten and Johnston has been working on the FY 2009 audit with field work completed in September.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers and credit card statements for the month of September 2009. A copy of the check registers is attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn meeting at 7:00 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.