Authority approves modeling work, easement acquisition concept, $2.28M equipment purchase and small easement buy

The Spalding County Water and Sewage Facilities Authority on April 30 approved multiple contracts and purchases tied to its High Falls sewer project, including a water distribution modeling contract with the City of Griffin, an acquisition services concept to obtain easements across two parcels, a $2,280,280 purchase order for equipment and the purchase of roughly 1.47 acres of permanent sewer easement for $14,500.

Miss Smith moved and Jeff seconded approval of a water distribution modeling effort that the board described as a capacity and wholesale agreement check with the City of Griffin. Board members said Griffin will pay the authority to model how the city’s wholesale flows would use system capacity.

The board approved an acquisition services concept to obtain easements needed to tie the High Falls Industrial Development into the proposed sewer line. Staff told the board the authority would not be responsible for acquisition costs under the concept; when completed, the acquired assets would be owned by the authority. Acquisition costs discussed included appraisals, title exams, closing costs and the potential for condemnation where necessary. The motion on concept approval was moved by Mister Morrow and seconded by Miss Glenn Flowers Taylor.

The authority approved a purchase order to Southwest Fluid Products Incorporated in the amount of $2,280,280 to secure steel plates for tanks and to protect the project from potential tariff escalations. Payment terms spelled out in the purchase order require 23% up front (approximately $522,000) due with order acceptance, 57% billed monthly during fabrication, 10% due on installation and 10% at startup (not to exceed 120 days from delivery). Staff said the upfront payment would be made from available project funds and could be reimbursed from bond proceeds if bonds are issued within the reimbursable window. The FY26 budget included roughly $986,000 set aside for related project spending, staff said.

On a separate item the board approved purchase of approximately 1.47 acres identified as tax map 217‑01004F for $14,500 to secure a permanent construction and maintenance sewer easement. That motion carried with one abstention; the abstention was recorded because a member said they had not participated in the preceding executive session where the item was discussed.

Why it matters: the modeling work will test capacity and interlocal arrangements with Griffin; the acquisition concept and easement purchase secure property rights needed for construction; and the equipment order secures long‑lead materials so the authority can lock prices and avoid potential tariff or escalation exposure.