County water projects move forward

Homepage

Get the latest news updates

• Like us on Facebook

• Follow us on Twitter

Related Photos

Discussion

Add a comment on this story

February 6, 2013

County water projects move forward

Anonymous The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Feb 06, 2013, 10:00 AM EST

MILLEDGEVILLE —

The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners voted to accept the current bid for a 2 million gallon ground storage tank and booster pump station on Hopewell Church Road.

The county was previously awarded a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for multiple improvement projects. The $5.2 million loan has a 3 percent interest rate with $500,000 of debt forgiveness if all funds are drawn.

Projects also include construction of a 750,000 gallon elevated storage tank and water mains on Highway 212 as well as a new Gerald Harris booster pump station.

The GEFA contract taps into county funds April 10.

Henry Craig, District 4, voted against the bid Tuesday. Craig wanted a pause for more dialogue with the City of Milledgeville concerning its capacity to meet the county's south side water needs.

After last week's work session, county consulting engineer Tim Ingram agreed to draft a cost comparison between paying the fixed cost associated with the Sinclair Water Authority (SWA) and buying water from the city at a $1.43 rate per 1,000 gallons against continuing to purchase SWA water, paying the fixed financing costs at the SWA plant and paying GEFA debt on the current project.

Summaries of the figures put the costs associated with city water at $2.77 per 1,000 gallons and moving forward as planned with SWA and GEFA loan at $1.90.

Ingram said the water project improvements at Highway 212 and Gerald Harris are needed regardless of the provider. The ground storage tank provides a constant volume.

Craig wanted the county to consult city engineers to accurately establish their water capabilities and rate offered.

“The assumption is the city doesn't already have the infrastructure in place. We haven't even asked the city,” Craig said.

The county purchased city water at a $1.40 rate from July 29, 2011 to Feb. 29, 2012. City manager Barry Jarrett said the city sold water to the county until the SWA plant was built and the contract expired.

In the past, the city ran water to the south side of the county split off Swint Avenue. The city could easily provide for Baldwin and would again, according to Jarrett.

The city is permitted for up to 12.4 million treated gallons a day. Even with the proposed added feed to the county's south side, Jarrett said they could meet the demand.

Tommy French, District 2, said buying water from the city wouldn't solve the infrastructure issues in parts of the county.

Sammy Hall, District 3, said there could never be too much water storage especially in the southern part of the county.

“The city has a system and the county has a system. They are not intertwined,” Hall said. “People talk about merging. Well if we merge, it's to everybody's advantage because it will then be storage the whole community has.”

Craig mentioned the taxpayers would pay for the loan through their water bills.

French said the county would lose its cost effectiveness by not moving forward with the loan and contracting for city water.

“Even if there was an agreement, who is going to take the impact? We have to bite all the costs,” French said. “If something breaks down, we will have to come out of pocket at the last minute to fix that affects 65 percent of the county.”

Text Only

Local News

21-year-old Quintavious Horton is wanted for the murder of Kenneth Simmons. Horton is considered armed and dangerous by local police.

Police looking for murder suspect
Friday night violence ended in the death of a 22-year-old.
The Milledgeville Police Department is looking for 21-year-old Quintavious Horton for the shooting that took the life of Kenneth Simmons.

May 18, 2013 2 Photos
Ga. Republicans gather in Athens for convention
Travel writers explore Milledgeville's hidden gems
STEM laboratory projected by next summer
CSH board forms state property task force

Features

Baldwin High School Band Director Clint Raburn plays his beloved saxophone during practice last week. After 13 years at BHS, Raburn is transitioning to a new mission as Creative Arts Pastor at Northridge Christian Church.

Band director switches gears to a new calling
Baldwin High School senior band member Michael Watson put Fine Arts and Band Director Clint Raburn’s 13 years in perspective.
“I don’t think there is a student who’s come through the band program that hasn’t been touched by Mr. Raburn in some way,” Watson said. “He pushed the program further that it had ever gone and got results.”

May 13, 2013 1 Photo
Blue Star dedication becomes first in its class
Longtime children’s librarian places final book on shelf
Movie extra excited to premiere in historical film
Filmmaker's Milledgeville relocation all about feeding the soul

Business

Partners Chris Dixon and Codee Guyton and their son Cash have poured their hearts and wallets into creating their very own company called Flex Till You’re Famous, which is dedicated to providing one-of-a-kind motivational gym apparel.

Duo flexes to inspire, motivate
Chris Dixon and Codee Guyton decided it was time for a transformation, not only in their health, but lifestyle as well. Two years later, the couple has made tremendous progress along their fitness journey, and are now influencing others to be the best version of themselves through their motivational gym apparel — Flex Till You’re Famous (FTYF).

May 17, 2013 1 Photo
Hobby Lobby part of N. Columbia corridor growth
Seafood market owner marks expansion, overcomes adversity
Arts and crafts store moves downtown
Tidal Wave presents fifth charity fundraiser Friday

Local Sports

Lila Mitchell stands atop the podium after her third place finish in the 1,600-meter run on Friday, May 10 at the state track meet, where she lowered her own school record in the event.