Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Wesley Keber, Burt Jones, Harvey Norris & Eddie Roberts; Butts County residents attending were Johnny & Sammy Martin. Authority staff members present were Paul Martin, Marcie Seleb & Joyce Hosey. Chairman White welcomed Mr. Roberts as a new board member.
Opening Prayer – Mr. Norris opened the meeting with a prayer.
Certificates of Appreciation – Johnny & Sammy Martin – Ms. Seleb presented certificates of appreciation to Johnny & Sammy Martin, sons of employee Paul Martin. As private citizens, the young men noticed water was running across Buttrill Road the afternoon of June 1st , traced it to a leak on the west Butts transmission main, notified the Authority, and then assisted by working underwater in the manhole to shut a valve and stop the leak.
Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting – Mr. Keber made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the May 8, 2012 meeting and approve the same. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
Board members welcomed Mr. Roberts as a new member of the Board.
FY 2013 Budget Discussion – Ms. Seleb went over the proposed Fiscal Year 2013 budget in detail. Combined operations and capital budgets project a total income of $3,011,800 and total expenses and debt service of $3,268,600. She explained that while the Authority is in good fiscal shape, the proposed budget was designed with the expectation of little or no customer growth.
In addition to concerns about the overall economy, a loss of revenue from large customers is anticipated. Sewer revenues overall have dropped approximately 15% since the Ready Pac salad plant shut down one of its operating shifts in March 2012. The Department of Corrections, which uses about 20% of water sold by the Authority, is considering going back to its well system at the Georgia Diagnostic Prison.
It was noted that the Authority has not raised its usage rates since 2009. The total cost of water operations is projected at $5.13 per thousand gallons with the average customer paying $5.10 per thousand gallons. The total cost of sewer operations is projected$11.35 per thousand gallons with the average customer paying $5.10 per thousand gallons. Modifications to the existing rate structure were discussed.
Mr. Keber made a motion to adopt the FY 2013 budget as written. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
A copy of the line item 2013 budget with notes and illustrations is attached and made a part of these minutes.
A motion was made by Mr. Jones to increase the sewer rate for usage above 2,000 gallons from $4.50 to $5.50 per thousand. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously. Water rates will remain unchanged.
Request for Extension – Jere W. Mathis, South Arrowpoint Road – A motion was made by Mr. Keber to approve a 2″ extension to South Arrowpoint Road pending proof that it is a public right of way. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Executive Session to Discuss Potential Litigation – A motion was made by Mr. Jones to go into an executive session to discuss potential litigation. This was seconded by Mr. Keber and approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Mr. Norris to come out of executive session in order to vote on items discussed. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Mr. Norris to assist Patillo Industrial Development to acquire an easement from the Simpson Foundation to run a gravity sewer line from Patillo’s property on Windy Lane and Steele Road to the Authority’s existing lift station on Windy Lane. Mr. Norris stipulated that this would include the Authority’s condemnation of the easement, if needed, with Patillo paying for all costs. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Manager’s Report
Update on Construction Projects
Hwy. 16 Sewer & Hwy. 36 Sewer – There has been virtually no progress by the contractor in correcting problems shown during inspections of both projects. On June 19th Authority staff will be reviewing pipeline inspection videos with the engineer and contractor.
Crew – The crew has completed taps on “Hangar Road,” with work to begin on Singley Road, the week of June 18th . The alignment will use a ten-foot easement from those property owners willing. Otherwise, the main will be installed in the existing forty-foot right of way.
Taps Sold – No taps were sold during the month of May.
Meter Replacement Project – Agreed to hire Shon Hampton from Watkins & Associates to write bid documents for EPD approval for a lump sum not to exceed $7500.
Operations Report
Operations Statistics – Water billing for May 2012 was up 3% from April 2012 at $216.491, and up 2% from May 2011 with a total customer base of 5,267 and an active customer base of 4,684. Sewer billing for May 2012 was up 7% from April 2012 at $27.931, and down 12% from April 2011 with a total customer base of 129 and an active customer base of 120.
The average daily finished water pumped in May 2012 to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Burford and Stewart plants was 2.3 MGD, with a maximum of 2.8 MGD. The rolling 12-month average loss was 9.1% with the current monthly average loss at 15.4%. The total amount of finished water pumped in May 2012 per plant was: Burford – 62 MG; Stewart – 10 MG. The average wastewater influent at the Bucksnort Ranch LAS was .124 with an average daily effluent of .227/.550 MGD and a maximum 7-day effluent of .366/.550 MGD.
Water Quality & Quantity Storm – Taste and odor problems were rampant in west Butts County during the period of May 29th – June 5th . This was a result of pulling the Stewart reservoir level down further than normal which pulled decayed plant material into the treatment stream. While all organics were removed, residual odors remained and manganese was higher than normal, causing discoloration. Most problems were concentrated in the I-75/Hwy. 36 area. Maintenance work that took the Burford plant off-line and two major system leaks occurred at the same time, resulting in reduced water storage throughout the system.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and SPLOST through May 2012. Finances are within budget thus far for FY 2012. Copies of these financial summaries are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members reviewed check registers and credit card statements for the month of May 2012. Copies of these documents are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Keber to adjourn meeting at 7:10 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Jones and approved unanimously.