Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Eddie Ford, Eddie Roberts, Harvey Norris, Bill Jones, Ken Rivers and Harry Marett. Also present was Butts County Manager Brad Johnson and Commissioner Joe Brown, Conner Wraight with RINDT Engineering. Staff members present were Alyssa Hopson, general manager, and Amber Eason, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from September 20, 2022 Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes from the September 20, 2022 meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
River Park Development Updates – Mr. Johnson presented a list of upcoming projects coming to the County. The River Park Development is projected to house 23 million square feet of logistics, retail stores, a hospital, and medical offices. Mr. Brown expressed water pressure concerns within River Park and how this issue could potentially have an impact on the County’s future growth along the Highway 16 West/Interstate 75 Interchange. Mr. Johnson suggested River Park Developers, Butts County Commissioners, and the Authority’s Board schedule a meeting to discuss needs for an immediate solution and financial contributions. No action was taken. Mr. Johnson and Mr. Brown exited the meeting at 6:37 pm.
Fire Protection Recommendations- Mr. Wraight stated water utility systems are not able to provide the level of fire protection for sprinkled facilities as large as those like the River Park Development. Due to the increased demand for domestic water for River Park Development, it is recommended that facilities design and provide the necessary storage and fire pump system to meet their fire protection requirements. Mr. Wraight stated that several lots have already begun doing so.
Mr. Johnson proposed the question of installing an elevated water tank within River Park to increase water pressure for west Butts. Chairman White advised Mr. Wraight and Rindt Engineering to provide water system improvements solutions for Highway 16 West. A motion was made by Mr. Rivers for Rindt Engineering to begin determining the best location for an elevated tank. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously. Mr. Wraight exited the meeting at 6:37pm.
Residential/Commercial Water & Sewer Rates Increase- Ms. Hopson advised the Board of increase in water plant production cost for chemicals, she recommended a $1.00 increase on all basic rates of 2,000 gallons and a $1.00 increase per thousand gallons usage over the 2,000 gallon minimum. The last rate increase was in 2018. Mr. Marret made a motion to approve the $1.00 increase. This was seconded by Mr. Rivers and approved unanimously.
Managers Report-
Employment – Ms. Hopson reported the water distribution crew has an available position open. She, along with Paul Martin and the personnel committee will be meeting with applicants.
Water Plant Trainee- Ms. Hopson reported trainee Anthony Cox is scheduled to retake the Class 3 Water Operator exam in the upcoming weeks.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Hopson went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for September. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.56 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 2.84 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 12% with the current monthly average at -6%. The total amount of finished water pumped in September by each plant was: Burford 76 million gallons and Stewart 0 million gallons.
Water billing for September was $361,678 up 36% from the previous month, up 12% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 36% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for September was $52,484 up 6% from the previous month, down 5% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 4% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,883 at the end of September with 5,621 of those being active customers. There were 2 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of September, with 204 of the being active customers.
Financial Report – Ms. Hopson reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for September 2022 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through September 30, 2022.
Water Operations income for September was $416,731 with expenses of $423,817. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2022 thus far was $30,774 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for September was $64,183 with expenses of $50,231. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2022 thus far was $12,103 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $1,986,227 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $91,036 was received on October 7, 2022. Overages in the 2019-24 SPLOST are being covered by temporary transfers from the Water Operations fund.
Total cash on hand at the end of September was $12,613,173. Copies of the September 2022 financial summaries, the consolidated fund balance sheet and the consolidated fund income statement are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Rivers to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Marret and approved unanimously.