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County to bid household CDBG hookups; commissioners discuss hiring lobbyist for $10–12 million water project
Summary
Chilton County staff said Thursday they will seek bids for household hookups funded by a CDBG water project on County Road 16 and County Road 26, and commissioners agreed to hear a presentation from a lobbying firm about financing a larger $10–$12 million water extension.
Chilton County staff said engineers have completed plans and the commission may authorize bidding to connect households to a CDBG-funded water project on County Road 16 and County Road 26. County staff said 17 households are currently signed up of 30 included in the original application; engineers will open bids and the commission will return later to award contracts for household hookups.
Sylvia, from the commission office, described the water project as “new water just for update,” adding that the county water authority has already run 6-inch lines and passed flow tests from ADEM. She said the next phase is bidding household hookups for low-to-moderate income households that meet program income requirements; the county will install meters and run service lines from the meter to each household after bids are awarded.
Separately, commissioners discussed longer-range efforts to extend water service toward the 200 exit and the river. One commissioner said bringing water to that area would cost an estimated $10 million to $12 million, based on figures from Chilton Water. That commissioner asked permission to invite Jordan Mills of the lobbying firm Williams & Jensen to present what the firm could do and at what cost. Some commissioners voiced opposition to paying lobbyists, saying elected officials and staff should first pursue direct contact with state and federal representatives; others described lobbyists as helpful because they can “be there daily” during appropriation cycles. The chair agreed to invite a representative from the firm to make a presentation; no contract or payment was authorized in the transcript.
Staff emphasized the need to spread the word to eligible households in the CDBG application area and to complete the engineer-prepared plans before advertising for bids. Commissioners said the bid opening and award will be handled in subsequent meetings, and staff estimated plumbers could begin the household connections within roughly six weeks after award.
No formal vote to hire a lobbyist was taken in the recorded exchange; commissioners agreed only to invite the firm to give a presentation to the commission.
