Call to Order – Chairman Marett called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m. Board members present were Eddie Ford, Curtis Taylor, Eddie Roberts and Bill Jones. Staff members present were Alyssa Hopson, general manager and Amber Eason, clerk to the board.
Approval of Minutes from July 16, 2024 Meeting- Mr. Roberts made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes from the July 16, 2024 meeting, with the necessary corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.
Discuss Proposed Water and Sewer Rates- Ms. Hopson presented proposed water and sewer rates. The proposed minimum water rates will increase from $14.00 to $17.00 for 0-2,000 gallons. The cost per 1000 gallons of water will remain the same at $6.50. The proposed minimum sewer rates will increase from $14.00 to $17.00. The cost per 1000 gallons of sewer will increase from $6.50 to $7.10
Ms. Hopson reported that Bill Powell with Georgia Rural Water Association would like to meet with large water and sewer users, to explain to them how the proposed rates would affect their monthly water bill. A motion was made by Mr. Roberts to adopt the proposed water and sewer rates. This was seconded by Mr. Ford. Mr. Jones abstained.
FY 2025 Budget- Ms. Hopson presented a draft of the fiscal year 2025 budget. The budget anticipates a total of $7,465,812 in income, and $3,330,710 in operating expenditures. Mr. Roberts made a motion to adopt the FY 2025 Budget. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously. A copy of the budget summary is attached and made part of these minutes.
Managers Report-
Project Lighthouse Water and Sewer Options- Ms. Hopson presented potential water and sewer options to meet the demands for Project Lighthouse. Expanding the Burford Water Treatment Plant, making necessary water system upgrades, and expanding the sewer system are top priority.
Operations Statistics – Ms. Hopson went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for July. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.93 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 3.471 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 14% with the current monthly average at 9%. The total amount of finished water pumped in July by each plant was: Burford 73 million gallons and Stewart 13 million gallons.
Water billing for July was $406,022 up 16% from the previous month, up 11% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 13% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for July was $84,610 up 30% from the previous month, up 26% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 5% from the previous year.
Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of July with 5,706 of those being active customers. There were 1 new connection sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of July, with 207 of them being active customers.
Financial Report – Ms. Hopson reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for July 2024 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through July 31, 2024.
Water Operations income for July was $419,915 with expenses of $662,766. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $49,935 with $0 in expenses.
Sewer Operations income for July was $84,610 with expenses of $91,784. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2024 thus far was $41,181 with $0 in expenses.
For the 2019-24 SPLOST, $4,095,885 has been collected. A SPLOST payment of $92,441.48 was received on August 7, 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 July was $15,027,238. Copies of the July 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. Marett to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Roberts and approved unanimously.