Amherst County service authority to present MOU on Gateway water line after members press for construction timeline and loan clarity

Amherst County Service Authority members asked staff to return a memorandum of understanding to the Board of Supervisors and the Service Authority on June 3 that lays out a construction timeline and who would be responsible for loan payments if the private Gateway project does not proceed.

The request came during a brief exchange about property access and funding. Speaker 1, a service authority member, said, “I think what I'd like to see is kind of a time frame of construction of the line versus construction of Mister Morcom's project. Because if there is no project, there are no water and sewer fees to support this project.” Speaker 2, a staff member, said there may be an option to use a “drainage easement” and mentioned other property-line issues that they preferred to discuss privately.

The discussion included a reported concern that a parcel in the Bridal Cross subdivision opposed building homes across from existing residences. Speaker 1 asked that the MOU outline “who's gonna pay the loan if there's nothing to support that,” and Speaker 2 confirmed the MOU would be the vehicle to address those responsibilities and timing.

No formal vote on the Gateway project or on financing was taken during the recorded exchange. The board reopened citizen comment and, finding none, moved on to other service authority business before adjourning; a motion to adjourn was moved and approved by voice vote.

The next step identified in the meeting was for staff to bring the memorandum of understanding to both the Board of Supervisors and the Service Authority on June 3 so members can review allocation of construction responsibility, sequencing, and loan payment terms.