Madison County approves water agreements, delays rate changes and asks state to study regional supply

The Madison County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 approved several water-related agreements, authorized a contract amendment for a county water-main extension and directed staff to send a letter to state lawmakers asking them to assess regional water-supply options. Commissioners also postponed action on a proposed water-rate fee structure until the board's last meeting of the month so staff can present additional information.

The decisions came during a work session that included an amendment to an intergovernmental water-supply agreement, a contract amendment for a county water-main project, and approval of a purchase agreement for a private well now doing business as Madison Springs.

Commissioners addressed three formal items: an amendment to an intergovernmental water-supply agreement with the City of Elberton and National Industrial Development, an amendment to the county's contract with Armintraub, Anthony & Thurman, P.C. for the Madison County CBD Water Main Extension project, and a new water-purchase agreement with Madison Springs (formerly Fortson Well). The board also voted to send a letter to the county's state delegation requesting that officials assess regional water-supply options and consider funding for studies.

On the intergovernmental agreement, a board speaker said an item had been changed from an earlier draft: “the minimum purchase which was set at $10,000,000 and we reverted that back to $3,500,000 minimum purchase with Albert County.” The board introduced and passed a resolution to receive and approve the first amendment to that agreement. The transcript records a motion introduced by Commissioner Adams and a second by Commissioner Manning. The record shows the item moved and the chair called for a vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

The board approved an amendment to the contract with Armintraub, Anthony & Thurman, P.C. for the Madison County CBD Water Main Extension project. The amendment modifies Section 2.05 and caps the amendment at “not to exceed $60,000,” and references changes shown in Exhibit J; a motion to approve was made by Commissioner Doster and seconded by Commissioner Adams. County staff said the amendment answered prior questions and that the packet reflected the needed adjustments.

Commissioners also approved a water-purchase agreement with Madison Springs (formerly Fortson Well). The board discussed a revision in the draft setting a contamination threshold: “the 0.2 parts per million is now 0.3,” a county staff speaker said. Commissioners discussed that the contract includes a price-adjustment clause tied to the consumer price index and noted the agreement could cover purchases or sales of water depending on system needs. A motion to approve was entered and recorded as moved by Commissioner Allen with a second recorded in the transcript; the chair then called the vote.

The board postponed the water-rate fee-structure item because the presenter (Ms. Wilson) was absent due to COVID in her household; the board set the item for the last meeting of the month so the presenter can attend and so members can review a webinar and comparative materials about rate structures. Commissioners asked county water staff to produce a list of existing or needed written policies related to water purchases, private well connections and tap/cap fees so the board can consider criteria and written policy before adopting rate changes.

Separately, commissioners discussed water-conservation approaches. One speaker noted a state statute requires “some sort of water conservation provision” and described tiered pricing and separate irrigation meters as commonly used mechanisms to encourage conservation.

On regional coordination, the board reviewed and voted to send a letter asking state representatives and senators to assess regional water-supply options and to facilitate funding for engineering studies. The chairman said the board would notify the delegation in advance; Commissioner Adams moved to proceed with contacting state officials and mailing the letter, and Commissioner Dahlstrom seconded. Commissioners agreed the letter, as revised by Christina (staff), should be delivered after signatures and that staff would contact delegation members so they are aware of the board's request.

The meeting closed with routine items and an announced executive session on real estate acquisition, personnel matters and potential litigation.

Votes at a glance: the transcript records motions and seconds for each water item and shows the chair calling the vote and announcing approval; the transcript does not include a full roll-call tally for each action in the recorded segment.