County staff told commissioners Tuesday that multiple water-system projects are in construction or close to completion and that demand for service is rising in the NEBO/Devo areas.

Staff reported the Devo-area project (near the Marion Play Club) began Aug. 4 and engineers estimate completion in April 2026. Officials said NEBO phase 2A and 2B are still under construction and that the county has 86 pending applications for service in the NEBO area.

The county's water customer base was reported at just over 415 customers, with projections that completion of the Devo work will push total customers to roughly 550 and then toward 600 within a year as more connections are made. "We're a hair over 400 right now on 4 15," a staff presenter said, noting growth from about 300 customers a year and a half ago.

Staff said Phase 3 work awaits a state encroachment agreement and that the project is paid for by state funding via the American Rescue Plan Act; they reminded the board of a federal/state spending deadline on Dec. 26 tied to ARPA funds. For the West Marion Elementary connection, staff said a 90% engineering plan is under review and that the environmental review paperwork could take about three months.

Commissioners also heard that county staff have started an asset inventory assessment with McGill Associates focusing on the NEBO area and that the county is exploring a small partnership with Marion and Old Fort to coordinate utility system cooperation after disasters and for possible longer-term shared planning.