Call to Order – Chairman Marett called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present
were Eddie Roberts, Curtis Taylor, Eddie Ford, Bill Jones, and Jimmy White. Also present were
Alicia Washington with United Bank, and Amber Eason, clerk to the board. Staff member present
was Alyssa Lackey, general manager.
Election of Board Officers- A motion was made by Mr. White to re-elect Harry Marett as
Chairman of the board, re-elect Eddie Roberts as Vice Chairman, and re-elect Amber Eason as
Secretary-Treasure. This and was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes from April 21st Meeting- Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with
the reading of, and to adopt the minutes of the April 21, 2026 meeting, with any necessary
corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Discuss Certificate of Deposit Rates- Ms. Lackey reported that two Certificates of Deposit
(CD’s) totaling $6,266,813 at Ameris Bank would mature on May 24, 2026. She was informed that
Ameris’ current rate for a 12 month APY was 3%. To keep the funds local, Ms. Lackey invited Alicia
Washington from United Bank (UB) to attend the board meeting.
Ms. Washington works in the investment and trust department at United Bank (UB). She stated that
UB have several options and strategies available for municipalities. The CD’s would be divided
between multiple banks in $249,000 increment so that it is protected by the Federal Department
Insurance Corporation (FDIC). United Bank would have custody of the funds and they would
monitor the CD’s within the investment and trust account.
Ms. Washington suggested a staggered plan with 6 months, 9 months and 12 months. Ms. Lackey
advised the deadline to make a decision is June 3, 2026. She recommended waiting to hear back
from Ameris Bank to see their final rate. Ms. Washington exited the meeting at 5:49pm.
Managers Report-
T W Leverette Road – Ms. Lackey reported the crew has begun work on TW Leverette Rd.
They have installed 960ft of pipe and 1 fire hydrant.
Summer Internship – Ms. Lackey reported that an Authority’s water treatment operator
submitted a summer internship request for his son Andru Roberts. Andru graduated from
Toccoa Falls College and he needs to complete 120 unpaid hours to complete his Bachelor’s
in Business Administration degree.
Health Insurance Renewal – Ms. Lackey reported the Authority’s health insurance is up for
renewal on July 1, 2026. Our current carrier Aetna is increasing by 59%. It appears the
increase is due to chronic illness, severe health issues and cost of prescriptions. The
Authority’s insurance broker, Michelle Cole, is currently shopping for lower rates.
Project Lighthouse – Ms. Lackey reported that she was informed by Project Lighthouse staff
that design bids for the Burford Water Treatment Plant are expected to be awarded any day
now.
Operations Statistics – Mrs. Lackey went over the water production, water loss and customer
statistics for April. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and
Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.94 million gallons per day, with a maximum of
3.42 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 6% with the current monthly
average at 5%. The total amount of finished water pumped in April by each plant was: Burford 68
million gallons and Stewart 20 million gallons.
Water billing for April was $422,567, up 16% from the previous month, down 6% over a rolling 12-
month total, and down 1% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for April was $83,285
up 42% from the previous month, down 15% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 15% from the
previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of April with 5,789 of those being active customers.
There were 14 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of April, with
212 of them being active customers.
Minutes of Butts County, et al. Water & Sewer Authority
May 19, 2026
Page 2
Financial Report – Mrs. Lackey reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations
and Capital Recovery Fees for December 2025 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax
(SPLOST) through April 30, 2026.
Water Operations income for April was $499,422 with expenses of $380,599. Water capital recovery
fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2025 thus far was $175,035 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for April was $98,795 with expenses of $57,555. Sewer Capital Recovery
Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2025 thus far was $110,883 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-25 SPLOST, $5,520,740 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $83,477.26 was
received on May 5, 2026. Overages in the 2019-25 SPLOST are being covered by temporary transfers
from the Water Operations fund.
For the 2025-30 SPLOST, $833,871 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $83,477 was received
on May 5, 2026.
Total cash on hand at the end of April was $17,000,840. Copies of the April 2026 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. Taylor to adjourn the meeting at 6:11p.m. This was seconded
by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.