Gary Kelly, a resident, asked the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners on July 22 to help get a water line installed along County Road 33 after property sales led to new construction in the area.
The request matters because about 10 households have already signed up for taps and more homes are being built, and extending water lines in rural areas typically requires securing grant funding and utility participation.
Kelly told the commissioners, "They're trying to get a water line in now. It's on County Road 33, and it goes probably half a mile." He said 10 people had signed up for taps and that additional houses were joining the effort.
County staff explained the request requires both a decision by a potential supplier and, in many cases, grant funding. Dylan Bentley, the county administrator, said the county had identified two potential water providers and would refer the matter to the county's rural water district, which helps evaluate needs and pursue grants.
Bentley said the rural water district had been the funding pathway for previous projects, including a long-running Macedonia Hill effort and a separate Waterloo project. He cautioned that grant applications can be lengthy and that larger extensions sometimes require upsizing main lines: "It takes time for that group to look into it," he said, and noted federal or regulatory guidance can require upsizing a line for broader system connections.
County staff agreed to have a water-district representative evaluate the area and to keep residents informed. Bentley offered to follow up directly with Kelly and staff asked that he be contacted if he wanted a sooner update: "I'll give you one of my business cards and you can call me," Bentley said. Commissioners also agreed Dylan Bentley would attempt to contact Kelly with an update in about two to three weeks.
The discussion was procedural: the board did not take a formal vote or commit county funds. Staff said the likely next steps are (1) referral to the county rural water district for evaluation and grant screening and (2) follow-up with the resident on findings and timing.
Community members wanting to pursue similar projects were told the county works through the rural water district for grant applications and that some prior projects had taken many years to secure funding and construction.