Amherst Service Authority approves operations‑center study; staff updates on water permit, LEAP funds and multiple capital projects

The Amherst County Service Authority on Aug. 5 authorized an engineering study to define space and facility needs for a future operations center and received progress reports on several capital projects, a water‑withdrawal permit, and federal and state grant-funded work.

The actions are part of the authority’s infrastructure master plan and capital‑budget planning; the operations‑center needs study is intended to produce a space and cost analysis the authority can use for budgeting and design.

The authority voted to authorize the executive director to execute an engineering agreement with Hurt & Proffitt, working with Virginia A&E, to begin an operations center facility needs study. A board member moved the authorization and the motion passed without recorded opposition.

On the water withdrawal permit, staff said the authority’s current permit expired May 7, 2025, and that the replacement permit is not expected until December 2025. Staff said the authority may continue operating under its existing permit while Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) completes review and external-agency coordination. Staff attributed the delay in part to DEQ staffing turnover and lengthy interagency review timelines.

Staff reported a LEAP (Locality service line inventory) reimbursement of $101,399.60 received in July, with about $40,000 remaining in that funding to complete GIS work tied to the inventory.

Contract work was advanced on the Gateway project; staff held a preconstruction meeting July 27 and said the contractor requested an Oct. 1 start to ensure materials are available. The contractor expects about a two‑month schedule and completion by December.

The James River bank stabilization project has advanced; staff received EPA review of phase‑1 contract documents and will add required signage (“government dollars at work”) to phase‑2 contracts. The Campbell Street sewer extension was reported nearly complete with a 2‑inch force main installed and positive feedback from VDOT. For Berkshire Place and an item tied to CVTC (Central Virginia Training Center), staff said they had reached out to the Department of General Services and were awaiting responses.

Staff also reported reconvening an advisory committee to review sewer regulations and proposed language allowing electronic participation in authority meetings. The authority voted to adopt meeting language permitting participation through electronic communications consistent with the county board of supervisors’ policy.

Board members asked questions about risk and timing on the water permit and praised staff’s progress on the Campbell Street work. Staff said they are exploring whether to perform the financial model update in‑house or through consultants; the existing model used to set rates is more than 20 years old and needs updating.

The authority did not change rates at the Aug. 5 meeting; the operations‑center study is expected to inform long‑range budgeting and potential rate changes.