Call to Order – Chairman White called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Board members present were J. B. White, Harvey Norris, Eddie Roberts, Jr. & Eddie Ford; also present were Marcie Seleb, general manager and Joyce Hosey, clerk to the Board.
Approval of Minutes from April 14, 2015 Meeting – Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes from the April 14, 2015 meeting. This was seconded by Mr. Norris and approved unanimously.
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) Proposed Rules for Water Supply Efficiency – Ms. Seleb advised the Board of the EPD’s proposed rules for water efficiency supply. To summarize, the rules will require the following changes:
- A “qualified water loss auditor” will have to review annual system water audits.
- Each system will be required to develop a “water loss control program” by July 1, 2016, with individualized goals and mandatory demonstrations of progress.
- The progress demonstrated will be used by EPD to issue modified or renewed water permits and increases in permitted service connections.
Ms. Seleb stated that these new regulations would be costly to local water systems, create new administrative burdens and provide the State with unprecedented powers in permitting. The Board advised her to write a letter to the EPD outlining the Authority’s concerns regarding the proposed rules. A copy of the Proposed Rules of the Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division is attached and made a part of these minutes.
General Discussion of FY 2016 Budget – Ms. Seleb and the Board discussed general concepts to be used in planning the budget for FY 2016. These included ideas for increased production in system construction, the pay classification plan being developed by the Carl Vinson Institute, the need for an updated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, and coordination among Butts County’s water supply partners for sharing costs of future plant improvements. While no action was taken, PowerPoint slides attached made a part of these minutes provide additional detail on budget items discussed.
Manager’s Report
Construction
West Butts Tank – There has been no activity on the tank project. Caldwell Tank, Inc. provided all needed documentation and has been paid for all pay requests received to date.
Nathan Thaxton Road/Brownlee Road Extension – Construction on the last one-third mile of the Nathan Thaxton project is currently on hold while more rock is spotted for blasting on the Brownlee Road extension. The Authority has bid out two miles of materials for Brownlee Road.
Hwy. 16 E Sewer – The Hwy. 16 E sewer line and lift station is complete, but still needs a final cleaning and video. The lift station SCADA/electrical system is not communicating properly.
Bucksnort Land Application System (LAS) Field Expansion – The field expansion project should be ready to bid in June.
Crew Work – The Authority’s crew has been focused on maintenance at Bucksnort Ranch land application system, along with hay cutting, sewer easement maintenance, and sewer air relief valve replacements.
Land Disturbance Permit – The Authority will now be obtaining Land Disturbance Permits from Butts County on any project disturbing more than one acre of soil.
Pricing on Hay from LAS – After discussion, a motion was made by Mr. Ford to sell hay from the LAS as follows; square bales in the barn – $5.00, square bales in the field – $4.00, and round bales – $35.00.
Operations
Water & Sewer Statistics – The average daily finished water pumped in April 2015 to the Authority, Jackson and Jenkinsburg from the Burford and Stewart plants was 2.2 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 2.6 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss was 12.7% with the current month average loss of 7.8%. The total amount of finished water pumped in April by each plant was: Burford – 60 million gallons and Stewart – 5 million gallons.
Water billing for April 2015 was $233,700, up 6% from March 2015 and up 8% from April 2014. This is the largest April on record. Sewer billing for April 2015 was $62,085, up 27% from March 2015 and up 16% from April 2014 billing. Total water accounts numbered 5,389, with 4,882 active water customers. There were no new water services sold during the month of April.
The average influent at the Bucksnort Ranch Land Application System was 307,000 gallons per day with an average effluent of 281,000 gallons per day. The maximum 7-day effluent was 329,000 gallons per day. Total sewer accounts numbered 143, with 139 active sewer customers. There were no sewer services sold during the month of April.
Financial Report – Ms. Seleb went over the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations, and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) for April 2015. Water operations income was $815,244 and expenses were $662,771 for the month. Income and expense were higher than normal due to a large draw on the GEFA loan for the West Butts Elevated Tank project. Water capital recovery fee revenue for the fiscal year so far is $221,879, with interest expense of $4,490 and debt service of $62,151, all paid on the Sandy Creek land loan.
Sewer operations income for April 2015 was $64,858, and expenses were $14,941. Sewer capital recovery fee revenue for the fiscal year thus far is $84,237, with no expenses.
To date, $3,448,351 in revenue has been received in 2007-12 (SPLOST 2007) funds with $124,686 remaining. $979,471 has been collected in 2013-19 SPLOST with $298,121 funds expended, all for Colwell lift station and sewer. The Authority is anticipating receipt of $59,588 in 2013-19 SPLOST in May 2015.
Total cash on hand at the end of April 13, 2015 was $8,493,630. This is $1,615,061 over the June 30, 2014 balances. Copies of 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 April 2015 to review. Copies of these registers are attached and made a part of these minutes.
Adjourn – A motion was made by Mr. Norris to adjourn meeting at 6:45 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.