Board Meeting: January 30, 2023 ~9:00 A.M
PERSONS PRESENT: Gary Winchester, Lisa Woodruff, Harry Johnston, Nancy Martin, Barry Mansell, Becky Dabbs, Tom Heard, David Kubala, Dwayne Fowler, Abby Roach, Wesley Banks, Corey Ghorley, Beth Jones, Clint Blackwell, Bryan Watkins, Mark Cochran, Mike Venters, Jennifer Arp, Keith Allen, Joey Buice, Melanie Stephens, Greg Long, Ryan Sarks, Eric Wright, Jeff Hooper, Sharon Clark, and Ethan Johnson.
Member Eric Wilmarth was not present at the meeting.
Gary Winchester, Chair, called the meeting to order.
1. AN INVOCATION WAS GIVEN BY NANCY MARTIN, FOLLOWED BY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
2. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED APPROVAL OF A PROPOSAL FROM HAZEN & SAWYER ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN AND BIDDING SERVICES FOR THE WASTEWATER SLUDGE DRYING FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,383,000.00. Mr. Ghorley noted that this project is Item #9 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list.
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY BARRY MANSELL TO APPROVE THE PROPOSAL FROM HAZEN & SAWYER ENGINEERS FOR DESIGN AND BIDDING SERVICES FOR THE WASTEWATER SLUDGE DRYING FACILITY IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,383,000.00. All members present voted for the motion.
3. COREY GHORLEY REQUESTED A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,618,000.00 FOR THE UV DISINFECTION AT ROSE CREEK WWTP. Mr. Ghorley noted that this project is Item #5 under Construction Expansion/Upgrade on the Authority’s current CIP list, with a total original estimated cost listed at $3,350,000.00.
MOTION BY NANCY MARTIN AND SECOND BY BECKY DABBS TO APPROVE A CONSTRUCTION BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,618,000.00 FOR THE UV DISINFECTION AT ROSE CREEK WWTP. All members present voted for the motion.
4. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE 12/12/22 BOARD MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED. All members present voted for the motion.
5. BETH JONES PRESENTED THE FINANCIAL REPORT. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $62,907.00 above budget projections for the period ending 10/31/22. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $461,169.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of approximately $1,395,933.00 for the period ending 10/31/22.
Mrs. Jones reported that total operating revenues are approximately $608,758.00 below budget projections for the period ending 11/30/22. Mrs. Jones reported that total operating expenses are approximately $844,223.00 below budget projections for the same period. Mrs. Jones reported year-to-date net income of $1,927,380.00 for the period ending 11/30/22.
6. BETH JONES PRESENTED PROPOSED RATE ADJUSTMENTS (ATTACHED) WHEREBY THE WATER AND SEWER BASE RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, IRRIGATION-RESIDENTIAL, IRRIGIATION-COMMERCIAL, AND WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WILL INCREASE BY $2.00. VOLUMETRIC RATES WILL INCREASE BY 5% FOR USAGE OF 3,000 GALLONS OR MORE. Mrs. Jones noted that the reason for the proposed rate adjustments is due to increased operational costs, the need to fund approved capital improvement projects, and the need to meet upcoming bond coverage requirements.
Tom Heard noted that prior rate adjustments occurred in 2019 and 2014.
Mrs. Jones also presented an additional rate package that details various proposed miscellaneous charges and fee schedules (ATTACHED).
MOTION BY LISA WOODRUFF AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THE RATE ADJUSTMENT PACKAGES AS OUTLINED BY MRS. JONES. NOTIFICATION OF THESE RATE ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE PLACED ON THE AUTHORITY’S WEBSITE AND CUSTOMER BILLINGS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO BE NOTIFIED OF THE RATE ADJUSTMENTS. All members present voted for the motion.
MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY NANCY MARTIN TO APPROVE THAT THE RATE ADJUSTMENT PACKAGES OUTLINED ABOVE WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE 4/1/23. All members present voted for the motion.
7. CLINT BLACKWELL PRESENTED THE WATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Blackwell reported an average daily treatment of 18.078 MGD for the month of December 2022 at the Etowah River Water Treatment Facility. Mr. Blackwell noted that the Hollis Q. Lathem Reservoir is currently at full pool at 1189.3 ft. Mr. Blackwell reported a cumulative rainfall total of 55.28” for the past twelve months.
8. MIKE VENTERS PRESENTED THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATIONS REPORT. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 2.8 MGD at the Rose Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, as well as a total reuse monthly flow of 2.1 MG. Mr. Venters reported an average daily treatment of 5.6 MGD at the Fitzgerald Creek Wastewater Treatment Facility, and an average daily treatment of 0.314 MGD at the Riverbend Wastewater Treatment Facility.
9. JENNIFER ARP PRESENTED THE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT. Mrs. Arp noted that one minor spill occurred on 12/7/22 at 3985 Holly Springs Parkway. Mrs. Arp noted that approximately 5,280 gallons were spilled due to a malfunction with an air valve. Mrs. Arp noted that Authority crews fixed the air valve to correct the problem.
10. DWAYNE FOWLER PRESENTED THE CONSTRUCTION REPORT. Mr. Fowler provided updates on the Hwy. 20 project and the Holly Springs project.
11. TOM HEARD PRESENTED THE GENERAL MANAGER’S REPORT.
12. MOTION BY BARRY MANSELL AND SECOND BY LISA WOODRUFF TO ADJOURN. All members present voted for the motion.
