Call to Order – Chairman Marett called the meeting to order at 5:26 p.m. Board members present were Jimmy White, Eddie Ford, Curtis Taylor, Eddie Roberts and Rick Jeffers. Staff members present were Alyssa Hopson, general manager and Amber Eason, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from August 20, 2024 Meeting- Mr. Marett requested to include our new proposed base rate to be added into the minutes. The necessary corrections were made to reflect in the August minutes. Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes from the August 20, 2024 meeting, with the necessary corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Legacy 75 Trade Center Project – Ms. Hopson reported that she was informed via social media platform Facebook regarding Legacy 75 Project. The project is located at the intersection of High Falls Road and Van Mar Blvd in Lamar County. Mr. Marett stated that based on the Authority’s policy adopted on February 13, 2018 states “to service properties located in multiple counties, only if at least sixty-percent of the land and project is within Butts County” the policy remains in effect. Mr. Ford made a motion to deny Legacy 75. This was seconded by Mr. Taylor and approved unanimously.
Discuss Stewart Water Treatment Plant – Ms. Hopson reported that the Stewart Water Treatment Plant which is owned by the City of Jackson, but is operated by the Authority is in need of repairs. Ms. Hopson reported that Water Production Herbert Head, Mayor Carlos Duffey, Water Production Sam Walker, Interim City Manager Holly Bailey, and herself met to discuss the modifications the plant is in need of. There were several options discussed ranging from modifying the contractual cost share agreement with Jackson or the possibility of the Authority purchasing the Stewart Treatment Plant. Mayor Duffey will present the possibilities to Jackson’s City Council and follow up with Ms. Hopson on their decission.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Hopson went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for August. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.96 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 3.49 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 14% with the current monthly average at 2%. The total amount of finished water pumped in August by each plant was: Burford 78 million gallons and Stewart 14 million gallons.
Water billing for August was $376,933 down 1% from the previous month, up 9% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 8% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for August was $75,069 up 45% from the previous month, up 23% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 12% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of August with 5,721 of those being active customers. There were 2 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of August, with 207 of them being active customers.
Financial Report – Ms. Hopson reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for August 2024 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through August 31, 2024.
Water Operations income for August was $424,693 with expenses of $373,612. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $1,300 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for August was $87,610 with expenses of $98,783. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $212 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $4,191,547 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $96,897.01 was received on September 9, 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 August was $15,164,328. Copies of the August 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. Taylor to adjourn the meeting at 6:07 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.