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Marion County water board reviews project bids, grant progress and tank maintenance plan; several members to leave
Summary
The Marion County Water Board heard updates on engineering bids for East Side projects, an ARC grant, completion of the FY2023 audit, and a required tank maintenance plan due by 2027. Board members announced several upcoming departures and set the next meeting for Oct. 14.
The Marion County Water Board on an October meeting reviewed plans to bid multiple East Side water projects in phases, received updates on an ARC grant and the FY2023 audit, and discussed a tank maintenance plan required by 2027. Several long-serving board members announced that the meeting was their final session.
Board officials said the board’s engineer, Alvin, is completing paperwork and will bid four projects included in the original packet to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (Ala. DCA / “ADM” as referenced in the meeting) in phases so the county can do as much work as funding allows. “He’s gonna bid them all out and bid the projects on the East Side out in phases,” a board member said, summarizing the engineer’s plan.
The status updates matter because the phased approach would let the county proceed on higher-priority segments if funding is available, while reserving lower-priority segments for later. Board members described a rough priority order discussed with the engineer, with the project listed for the Feb. 1 timeframe described as the top priority and other sections, including work on the south end of the Bankhead Highway corridor, slated later.
The board also reported that work on an ARC (Appalachian Regional Commission) grant is ongoing. “We’ve got a Webex meeting on that,” a board member said, and staff expect to have more information in the coming weeks. The board did not provide grant award amounts or specific funding breakdowns at the meeting.
On auditing, staff said the FY2023 audit is essentially complete and should be available by the next meeting. “The FY23 audit is gonna be complete, signed off all, and we should have it in hand by next meeting,” a board member said, noting the auditors requested a routine employee questionnaire as a final item.
Board members discussed the county’s tank maintenance obligations under the new tank maintenance program, saying a formal plan must be in place by 2027 and some earlier requirements, including a full washout, were addressed in early 2024. The board identified several tank repairs—latches, screens and similar items—as needing prompt attention. Members said they will invite two bidders who submitted differing tank maintenance proposals to present details before the board selects a contractor, citing significant price differences.
Several board members thanked departing colleagues at the meeting. The chair identified this as the final meeting for Sandy, Livy, Chris and Dale and praised their service. The board set its next meeting for Oct. 14, to be held under the newly constituted board.
The meeting included routine procedural votes: the board moved to approve the minutes and later approved the finance report; both motions carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The board also moved to adjourn.
