Board Meeting: April 27, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
PERSONS PRESENT: Barry Mansell, Nancy Martin, Becky Dabbs, Harry Johnston, Steven Woodruff, John Workman, Dwayne Fowler, Darrell Caudill, Wesley Banks, Nick Clark, Bryan Watkins, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Clint Blackwell, Jennifer Arp, Garry Hensley, Shayne Fowler, Greg Long, Will England, Keith Allen, Jody Henson, Tyler Childers, Tarik Acevedo Gonzalez, Melanie Stephens, Melissa Darvish, Ron Price, Lori Forrester, Jeff Hooper, Roy Hostetler, Anthony McFarland, George Parks, Jamie Veley, Ryan Sarks, Eric Wright and Sharon Clark.
Member Chris Wilbanks was not present at the meeting.
Barry Mansell, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY DWAYNE FOWLER, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. BRYAN WATKINS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM GEO-HYDRO ENGINEERS FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING ON THE FITZGERALD CREEK WPCP THERMAL DRYER FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,035.00. Mr. Watkins noted this project is listed in the Wastewater Section of the current CIP.
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM GEO-HYDRO ENGINEERS FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS TESTING ON THE FITZGERALD CREEK WPCP THERMAL DRYER FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $48,035.00. All members present voted for the motion.
3. BRYAN WATKINS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID FROM KM DAVIS CONTRACTING COMPANY INC. FOR THE SR 20 WIDENING WATER MAIN RELOCATION FOR GDOT PI 0014133 EAST CHEROKEE DRIVE TO SR 369 – CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,518,426.55. Mr. Watkins noted this project is listed in the Distribution Section of the current CIP and noted that the Board had previously approved a construction budget of $9,739,000.00 in July 2025.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE LOW BID FROM KM DAVIS CONTRACTING COMPANY INC. FOR THE SR 20 WIDENING WATER MAIN RELOCATION FOR GDOT PI 0014133 EAST CHEROKEE DRIVE TO SR 369 – CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,518,426.55. All members present voted for the motion.
4. BRYAN WATKINS REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM ATKINS REALIS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES ON THE SR 20 WIDENING WATER MAIN RELOCATION FOR GDOT PI 0014133 EAST CHEROKEE DRIVE TO SR 369 – CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $227,561.00.
MOTION BY JOHN WORKMAN AND SECOND BY STEVEN WOODRUFF TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM ATKINS REALIS FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES ON THE SR 20 WIDENING WATER MAIN RELOCATION FOR GDOT PI 0014133 EAST CHEROKEE DRIVE TO SR 369 – CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $227,561.00.
All members present voted for the motion.
5. GARRY HENSLEY PRESENTED THE CONNS CREEK ROAD CONNECTOR LINE REQUEST. Mr. Hensley noted the approval of this request would require the installation of approximately 16,200 ft of 12” HDPE pipe from Yellow Creek Road continuing west to Moody Road at an estimated cost of $500,000.00.
Mr. Hensley noted that the Authority had previously installed approximately 13,953 ft. of 12” HDPE pipe in conjunction with two projects (6,500 ft. with Georgia Power and 7,453 ft. with Sanctuaire Subdivision). The Authority had previously spent approximately $882,814.96 for the two joint projects.
Mr. Hensley noted that the 12” Connector Line to Yellow Creek on Conns Creek Project is listed on the current CIP at an estimated cost of $1,700,000.00. Mr. Hensley noted that the previously spent amount of $882,814.96 plus the $500,000.00 associated with the current request totals $1,382,814.96.
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 16,200 FEET OF 12” HDPE PIPE FROM YELLOW CREEK ROAD CONTINUING WEST TO MOODY ROAD AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $500,000.00. All members present voted for the motion.
6. GARRY HENSLEY NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR EXTENSION OF WATER MAIN FROM THE RESIDENTS OF FLATBOTTOM ROAD, WILD TURKEY PASS AND WILD TURKEY RIDGE. Mr. Hensley noted that 7 residents signed the petition. Mr. Hensley noted an approximate total footage of 6,700 feet of 3” PVC water main for the extension, an estimated task cost of the line of $40,200.00 and a total purchase meter cost of $18,000.00. Mr. Hensley noted there are 37 properties in the extension area, and 34 properties with road frontage.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE INSTALLATION OF APPROXIMATELY 6,700 FEET OF 3” PVC WATER MAIN FOR THE FLATBOTTOM ROAD, WILD TURKEY PASS AND WILD TURKEY RIDGE AREA AT AN APPROXIMATE COST TO THE AUTHORITY OF $40,200.00. All members present voted for the motion.
7. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED A BOARD POLICY UPDATE. Mrs. Arp noted the following update to existing Board policies:
1) Cell Tower Policy – Language was changed to reflect the current Board position. Currently listed as “Cell Towers on Authority Property” and states that the Board will not entertain requests to locate cell towers on Authority property. It has been changed to “Electronic Transmission Devices on Authority Property” and states that requests to install equipment on Authority property are directed to Authority counsel for potential negotiation.”
2) Street Light Policy – Updated the rate changes previously approved by the Board.
3) Capacity Certification – Language was clarified.
4) Personnel and Fleet – Small changes to reflect updates to those manuals.
5) Rates – Updated to follow the Board-approved rates and fees for Option B effective 9-1-2025.
6) Fire Hydrant Meter Policy – Updated rates to reflect the Board-approved rates effective 9-1-2025
MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE THE BOARD POLICY UPDATES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
8. MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY JOHN WORKMAN TO APPROVE THE 3/30/26 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
9. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCE REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total revenues are approximately $2,055,381.00 below budget projections for the period ending 2/28/26. Mrs. Jones reported that total expenditures are approximately $950,352.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $4,266,635.00 for the period ending 2/28/26.
10. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 19.140 MGD for the month of March 2026 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell reported that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently at full pool at 1189.2 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 44.50” for the past twelve months.
11. JAMIE VELEY PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 2.85 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow
of 2.72 MG. Mr. Veley reported an average daily treatment of 5.86 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.39 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
12. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that a wastewater spill occurred at 213 Abernathy Way in Acworth during this reporting period. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 11,250 gallons were spilled due to rags clogging the line. Mrs. Arp noted that Authority crews jetted the line to resolve the issue.
13. GARRY HENSLEY PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Hensley noted that Authority crews are continuing work on the Holly Springs Parkway and Trickum Road projects.
14. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
15. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT AUTHORITY EMPLOYEE DANNY WEHUNT IS RETIRING FROM THE AUTHORITY WITH 19+ YEARS OF SERVICE.
16. MR. FOWLER NOTED THE GEORGIA EPD DECLARED A STATE-WIDE DROUGHT RESPONSE LEVEL 1 FOR PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS USING SURFACE WATER AND/OR GROUNDWATER EFFECTIVE 04/27/26.
17. MR. FOWLER NOTED THE AUTHORITY HAS CLOSED ON PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS PARCEL 2026-A, WHICH IS THE WILBANKS TRACT LOCATED ON AIRPORT DRIVE AND WILBANKS DRIVE.
18. MR. FOWLER NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY IS IN RECEIPT OF THE FOLLOWING AWARDS:
• GAWP Platinum Award – Etowah River Water Treatment Plant – Calendar Year 2025
• GAWP Plant of the Year Award- Etowah River Water Treatment Plant (Surface Water 25 to 49.99 MGD)
• 2026 Georgia Drinking Water Taste Test District Champion – District 1
• 2026 Best Tasting Tap Water in Georgia
• GAWP Platinum Award – Fitzgerald Creek Water Pollution Control Plant – Calendar Year 2025
• GAWP Plant of the Year Award – Fitzgerald Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
• GAWP Platinum Award – Rose Creek Water Pollution Control Treatment Plant – Calendar Year 2025
• GAWP Plant of the Year Award – Rose Creek Water Pollution Control Treatment Plant
• GAWP Platinum Award – Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Plant – Calendar Year 2025
• GAWP Platinum Award – Excellence in Public Education
• Excellence in Community Engagement for Wastewater Display
• Jennifer Arp received GAWP Golden Hydrant Award
• Leo Baker received 2026 GAWP Nathan Meridith deJarnette Award and GAWP Honorary Member Award
19. MOTION BY STEVEN WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.

