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Commissioners reconfigure Wasatch board seats after dispute over Midland representation and experience
Summary
The board voted to remove two appointees from the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (Wasatch) and to appoint two former members, prompting debate about Midland’s representation, historical knowledge and infrastructure planning for Muddy Creek and Rocky River treatment plants.
The Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners on June 16 moved to replace two county appointees on the Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (Wasatch) and to restore two previous members to those seats after debate about institutional knowledge and representation.
The board approved a motion that removed two named county appointees from Wasatch and appointed Jonathan Marshall and Bob Ritchie to the county seats, while keeping Commissioner Laura Lindsey as an alternate representative. Commissioners discussed the change at length, citing a loss of “40 years of experience” when the seats were altered earlier in the year and concerns about Midland’s long-term capacity to own and operate local sewer infrastructure.
Supporters of the replacements argued Wasatch will face major capital decisions — including planning tied to the Muddy Creek and Rocky River treatment plants — where institutional history and technical experience matter. Opponents said Midland had been underrepresented historically and urged retaining the recent appointees to preserve Midland’s voice. The board’s action retained Midland’s representation through its municipal member (Josh Mendoza), while returning the two experienced participants to Wasatch to preserve institutional memory, commissioners said.
The discussion referenced a Midland town resolution, read into the record in a liaison update, that opposed shifting sewer flow to Muddy Creek. The resolution included a staff estimate outlining combined costs of design and construction above $46 million for the proposed flow shift and warned about per-gallon cost impacts for ratepayers. Commissioners also discussed that Midland does not currently own the sewer system and has limited revenue to purchase and maintain it.
Clarity about Wasatch membership: commissioners explained that the Wasatch board has statutory and municipal representation requirements; municipalities such as Concord, Kannapolis and Midland have seats, and the county has three at-large seats. Commissioners said municipal representation varies by community and that the county’s three seats are under the board’s appointment authority.
Action taken: the board removed Chris Miesmer and Doug Paris from Wasatch and appointed Jonathan Marshall and Bob Ritchie to those seats, with Lindsey remaining as the alternate. Commissioners voted to approve the removals and appointments during the June 16 meeting.
What happens next: the Wasatch board will continue work on infrastructure planning and the county’s delegates will represent the board’s position. Commissioners asked staff to confirm membership mechanics and to continue discussions with affected municipalities and Wasatch staff as the authority pursues capacity improvements.
