Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Harvey Norris, Eddie Roberts, Jr. & Eddie Ford. Also present were Wendy Harper, a customer on Shannon Way, and Marcie Seleb, general manager, and Alyssa Hopson, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from August 09, 2016 Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of and to approve the minutes from the August 09, 2016 meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Wendy Harper Complaint about Water – Ms. Harper complained that her water smelling like sulfur and chlorine. Ms. Seleb reported that a recent sample taken at Ms. Harper’s house had excellent quality results. Ms. Harper requested that Shannon Way, a dead end, be flushed monthly rather than quarterly. This was agreed to by the board. A copy of the test report is included and made part of these minutes.
Level One Drought Declaration – Ms. Seleb reported that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has declared a Level One drought for fifty-three Georgia counties, including Butts County. EPD requires that public water systems implement a public information campaign regarding the drought conditions. Ms. Seleb noted that the drought has had no impact on the Authority’s water supply. Information about the drought declaration has been posted on the Authority’s website and Facebook page. A copy of the drought declaration notice is included and made part of these minutes.
Confirm Hiring of Water Plant Operator Trainee – The Board confirmed the hiring of Lane Hamby as a water treatment plant operator trainee. Mr. Norris made a motion to confirm, seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Consider University of Central Florida (UCF) Water Assessment Proposal – Ms. Seleb presented a water assessment proposal from UCF. This fifteen- month study will assess Authority’s source water, treatment processes, and distribution system. The assessment is expected to begin January 2017 and be completed by May 2018. Mr. Ford made a motion to accept the proposal priced at $119,394. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously. A copy of the water assessment proposal is included and made part of these minutes.
Potential Grant to Study Bromide in Raw Water – Ms. Seleb reported that a Regional Water Plan Seed Grant Program has been announced that could be used to study bromide in the system’s raw water supplies. Mr. Norris made a motion to apply for the grant. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Manager’s Report
Construction
Bucksnort Ranch Land Application System Harkness Pond Liner – Ms. Seleb reported that she and staff have met with three different engineers to get opinions on how to repair pond liner and handle ground water infiltration. The Authority’s crew is mobilizing to rework drainage around the pond so that any rainwater running under the liner is stopped.
Nathan Thaxton Road – The project is complete and tied in from Georgia Highway 36 to High Falls Road.
Brownlee/East Ball Road – Work will resume on Brownlee and East Ball Roads begin as soon as Harkness pond bank is completed.
Operations
Dollar General Employment Incentive Program Grant – The Dollar General EIP grant has been submitted. Water and sewer installation is expected to begin January 2017 and be completed by April 2017.
Ernest Biles Golf Tournament – Bob Ryan has asked for a contribution to this tournament. All donations are used to provide scholarships for youth to play sports at Butts County’s Department of Leisure Services. Mr. Ford made a motion to make a $550.00 Silver Level sponsorship donation. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.
Water and Sewer Statistics – Water and sewer pumping and billing numbers for the month of August 2016 were reviewed. The average daily finished water pumped in August to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plants was 2.6 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 3 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss was 13.3% with the current month average loss of 10.9%. The total amount of finished water pumped in August by each plant was: Burford – 73 million gallons and Stewart – 7 million gallons.
Water billing for August 2016 was $276,559, up 7% from the previous month, and up 11% from August 2015. Sewer billing for August 2016 was $56,991 up 1% from the previous month, and up 18% from August 2015.
Total water accounts numbered 5,479, with 4,992 active water customers. Three water taps were purchased on the existing system, zero construction taps, and one new subdivision meter was sold during the month of August.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations, and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for August 2016. Water operations income for August was $299,668 with expenses of $156,940. Water capital recovery fee revenue for the fiscal year thus far was $4,371, with interest expenses of $1,791 and debt service costs of $13,328 for the Sandy Creek loan.
Sewer Operations income for August was $61,017 with expenses of $16,878. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for the fiscal year thus far was $2,416 with no expenses. To date, $1,455,353 has been collected in 2013-19 SPLOST, with $469,110 expended.
Total cash on hand at the end of July 2016 was $8,917,797. This is $485,883 over the June 30, 2016 balance. Copies of the August 2016 financial summaries, combined fund balance sheets, and combined fund income statements are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Review Bills Paid – Board members were given copies of check registers for July to review.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn the meeting at 6:48 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.