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Board authorizes public notice for 5% water and sewer rate hike and approves multiple procurement and contract actions
Summary
The Fulton County commission authorized public works to hold hearings on a possible 5% water and sewer rate increase and approved several procurement and contract measures, including repair contracts and increases to behavioral health services.
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on July 9 authorized Public Works staff to provide notice and hold two public hearings (one north, one south) in advance of considering a 5% annual water and sewer rate increase for the next two years.
County staff told the board the last major utility rate study dated to 2017 and that operating costs and capital needs have grown. The county's utility officials said a 5% increase would allow the water and sewer fund to cover operating cost growth (roughly 4% annually in staff estimates), finance about $40 million a year of capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis, and prepare the county to take smaller bond issues in 2027 and 2029 to support expansion of Camp Creek wastewater treatment capacity. Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize the required public notification and hearings; no final rate was adopted on July 9.
Separately, the board approved a series of procurement and contract actions on July 9, many by unanimous votes. Highlights recorded in open session included:
- Approval to use corporate repurchasing up to $1,700,000 to remove and dispose existing escalators and install replacements or modifications (motion recorded 5-1). Commissioner Dana Barrett voiced concern about timing and cost during debate; the motion passed with one dissenting vote.
- Approval to replace HVAC chiller number 3 with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,929,310 (unanimous).
- Approval to extend a vendor contract for Fulton County flow-monitoring equipment ($566,873) and other wastewater-related agreements; commissioners said they would follow up on a canceled North Fulton wastewater RFP and options for a supplemental question or attorney general opinion as needed.
- Approval of the county's contract increase with Grady Health for operation and management of the Fulton County Behavioral Health Crisis Center, increasing the contract by approximately $3 million to allow Grady to staff the center at full capacity (motion passed unanimously).
- Multiple procurement approvals for routine facilities, fleet and IT services, including statewide contract awards for telecommunications, fleet tire services and facility maintenance, plus smaller contract close-outs for janitorial services. Several emergency, maintenance and modular furniture purchases were also approved.
Board members said they would publish hearing dates for the water/sewer rate process and invited commissioners to help publicize the workshops. Staff said they expect to hold public hearings in late July or early August and return to the board with a formal recommendation after that outreach.
The actions reflect a mix of routine facilities upkeep and strategic utility planning; commissioners pressed staff on timing, market pricing risks and alternatives where possible.
