Call to Order – Chairman Marett called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were Eddie Roberts, Jr. J.B. White, Eddie Ford, and Bill Jones. Also present were City Councilmen Brad Johnson and Michael Brewer, Butts County Board of Commissioners, and John Harkness representing Butts County Industrial Development Authority Staff members present were Alyssa Hopson, general manager and Amber Eason, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from February 20, 2024 Meeting- Mr. Marett made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes from the February 20, 2024 meeting, with the necessary corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Workforce Development-Amanda Willis and Melissa Griffin presented to the board their program with Foothills Regional High School. Their workforce development program with high school students, helps them to development their fundamental knowledge to potentially prepare them for career potential jobs. Foothills Regional High School would like to create a working relationship with Butts County Water Authority to help with fulfill the Water Plant Operator positions. Melissa Griffin and Amanda Willis exited the meeting at 6:15pm.
Water system Improvement Recommendations-Meg Mbugua and Sasha Pavluscenco with RINDT Engineering presented their recommendations for the water system improvement and to discuss the 20″ transmission main extension. It was recommended by RINDT Engineering that each development at River Park have their own permanent tank with separate fire lines. It was also mentioned that the 20″ transmission main extension would increase the amount of water being provided to that area. RINDT Engineering employees exited the meeting at 6:50pm.
A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to proceed with the Engineering and design phase for the 20″ transmission main extension. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Managers Report-
GA EPD- Ms. Hopson reported that Matt Dodd with GA EPD was at our facilities 2/6,2/7 and 2/9 for the Triennial Sanitary Survey. The Water Authority recevied a report with a few recommendations on changes that need to be made but overall the visit went well. Our facailites received awards from The GA Associations of Water Professionals. The Burford and Stewart Plant received the platinum award. The LAS received the gold award.
Wearvers Pasture project- Ms. Hopson advised that the Wearvers Pasture project is underway. The crew has laid roughly 1500 ft of pipe and installed 2 hydrants.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Hopson went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for February. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.41 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 2.60 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 14% with the current monthly average at 16%. The total amount of finished water pumped in Febuary by each plant was: Burford 67 million gallons and Stewart 1 million gallons.
Water billing for February was $311,761 up 3% from the previous month, down 1% over a rolling 12-month total, and down 14% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for Febuary was $69,935 up 23% from the previous month, up 10% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 9% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of February with 5,679 of those being active customers. There were 3 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of February, with 206 of them being active customers.
Financial Report – Ms. Hopson reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for February 2024 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through February 29, 2024.
Water Operations income for February was $323,240 with expenses of $221,946. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $35,686 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for February was $71,191 with expenses of $40,765. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $40,820 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $3,794,559 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $89,6670 was received on March 14, 2024. 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 February was $14,602,500. Copies of the February 2024 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. Jones to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.