Carroll County PSA hears project updates after state budget amendment removed; board approves consent items and closes meeting for investment discussion

The Carroll County Public Service Authority on March 1 received a series of infrastructure updates and approved routine consent items before moving into a closed session to discuss investment of public funds.

Project manager Mike Watson reported that a budget amendment in the Virginia state budget that had been expected to fund part of the Exit 1 regional wastewater project was removed and will not reach the governor for signature. “It was taken out. So, we're not gonna be able to get that funding,” Watson said, adding that the authority still has about one-third of the needed funding committed, and that North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has committed roughly one-third; the remaining third will need to be found before the project can move forward.

Why it matters: the Exit 1 regional wastewater project would retire a local sewer plant at Exit 1 and connect the area to the sewer line serving Mount Airy; losing the state budget amendment reduces near-term funding certainty and leaves a funding gap for the authority to fill or replace.

Watson also updated members on related work at the Exit 1 plant: attorneys have reviewed the installation contract for a mechanical screen and agreed to requested changes, and he expects the authority to sign the contract within about a week so installation can begin. On SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) upgrades, Watson said the system is largely complete but still needs two electrical connections; when finished the system will centralize monitoring to the PSA server and can be configured to send alarms for tank-level drops or other problems.

On water line extensions, Watson said a segment of the Deer Ridge extension has been completed and tested and currently has four customer connections; he estimated about 17 potential future homes in the area. Work on a Spring Willow extension began the day of the meeting, and the contractor will return afterward to continue Deer Ridge or move on to other unfinished segments. The Expansion Drive connection is being coordinated with a property owner and, Watson said, is expected to be paid by that property owner; the authority is verifying costs.

In old business, Watson reported Fairhaven Subdivision plans are still under development, and a Pine Grove line extension application has been submitted to the health department; the PSA has applied for a 2‑inch exemption and awaits health department approval before buying materials.

The board approved the consent agenda items (A, B and C) by roll call. Later in the meeting, the board voted to convene a closed session under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(6) to discuss investment of public funds; after the closed session the board certified that only matters lawfully exempt from open meeting requirements were discussed and recorded the affirmative certification by roll call.

Votes at a glance: 1) Consent agenda (items A, B and C) — motion approved by roll call; yes votes recorded from Mister Bryant; Mister Collins; Mister Jessup; Mister Schlicht; Mister Dixon; and the presiding member (vote recorded as “I vote yes”) — outcome: approved. 2) Motion to convene closed session under Va. Code §2.2‑3711(A)(6) — outcome: approved by roll call (votes recorded as in transcript). 3) Motion to come out of closed session — approved by roll call. 4) Certification that closed-session matters complied with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act — each member answered “I so certify,” and the board recorded the certification.

Board members and staff thanked operations staff for ongoing work and discussed arranging a meal to recognize employees’ efforts. The meeting then adjourned following an approving roll-call vote.

Sources and attribution: statements paraphrased and quoted from project updates delivered by Mike Watson during the PSA meeting and from roll-call votes recorded in the meeting transcript.