Call to Order – Vice Chairman Roberts called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Board members present were Eddie Roberts, Jr. J.B. White, Eddie Ford, Ken Rivers, and Curtis Taylor 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 January 16, 2024 Meeting- Mr. Rivers made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes from the January 16, 2024 meeting, with the necessary corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Executive Session Begin- A motion was made by Mr. Rivers to adjourn into Executive Session to discuss personnel. This was seconded by Mr. Taylor and approved unanimously.
Harry Marett joined the meeting.
Executive Session End- A motion was made by Mr. Rivers to return to regular meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Mr. Ford made a motion to turn the meeting over to Chairman Marett. This was seconded by Mr. Rivers and approved unanimously.
City Councilmen, and the Butts County Commissioners exited the meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Doug Adams Request for Water & Sewer- Ms. Hopson reported Doug Adams requested water and sewer services for a potential development in Monroe County. Mr. White made a motion to not provide the services due to the Authority’s current policy, adopted on February 13, 2018 to service properties located in multiple counties, only if at least sixty-percent of the land and project is within Butts County. This was seconded by Mr. Taylor and approved by Mr. Roberts, Mr. Marett and Mr. Ford. Mr. Rivers opposed.
Adopt Internet/Computer usage policy- Ms. Hopson presented an internet/computer usage policy that was recommended by Assocation County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) during their annual field inspection. The purpose of the policy is for employees to fulfill their job duties and not misuse the internet or email at work Mr. Rivers made a motion to adopt the internet and computer policy. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously. A copy of the policy is attached and made part of these minutes.
Managers Report-
Credit Card Dispute- Ms. Hopson reported Solenis double charged the Authority in August and September 2023 for two orders of polymer. The charges were in the amount $12,960 each. Polymer is a chemical used during the water treatment process, that is typically ordered quarterly. After several attempts to settle the matter, Solenis refuse to issue a refund or credit the Authority’s open account with the vendor. Mr. Rivers instructed Ms. Hopson contact the Authority’s attorney for assistance with recovering the funds. A copy of the charges are attached and made part of these minutes
Griffin Wholesale rate- Ms. Hopson reported the City of Griffin’s 2024 wholesale rate which raises pricing from $5.56 per 1000 gallons to $6.00 per 1000 gallons. This rate applies to customers on Chapel Mill Road, Fenner Road and the Brushy Creek Subdivision. A copy of the letter is attached and made part of these minutes.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Hopson went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for January. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.58 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 3.24 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 13% with the current monthly average at 17%. The total amount of finished water pumped in January by each plant was: Burford 78 million gallons and Stewart 2 million gallons.
Water billing for January was $326,598 down 10% from the previous month, down 1% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 16% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for January was $70,266 up 32% from the previous month, up 13% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 25% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of January with 5,673 of those being active customers. There were 0 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of January, with 207 of them being active customers.
Financial Report – Ms. Hopson reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for January 2024 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through January 31, 2024.
Water Operations income for January was $384,370 with expenses of $524,853. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $299,775 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for January was $92,294 with expenses of $82,620. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $168,406 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $3,704,829 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $98,451.90 was received on February 6, 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 January was $14,123,087. Copies of the January 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. Rivers to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.