Halifax County approves MOU to review Littleton water and sewer system

At a Halifax County Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the town of Littleton to permit county staff to evaluate the town's water and sewer system and related records.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) is explicit that the review is preliminary and does not obligate Halifax County to acquire the system nor require Littleton to transfer it, County Attorney Robbins told commissioners. "This doesn't obligate the county to actually acquire the system nor does it obligate the town to eventually, turn the system over to the county," Robbins said.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the MOU will allow both governments to collect information before deciding whether a transfer or other arrangement is appropriate. The review could include inspection, testing and consultation with engineers and contract operators already working with the town.

What was discussed: A county staff member identified as Chris told the board Littleton's governing body had already approved its side of the MOU and was awaiting the county's approval to move forward. Commissioners asked whether preliminary inspections or testing would cost county or town residents. Robbins said the town has already received grant funding and engaged an engineer to evaluate the system, which should reduce additional expense to the county during the initial review. "So theoretically, it shouldn't cost [the county] anything," Robbins said, noting staff would conduct an initial evaluation and that the county would return to the board if it believed a consultant should be retained.

Commissioner Silver asked whether grant funds intended for repairs would transfer with physical assets if the county ultimately assumed responsibility. Robbins said the county's negotiating position would be that assets and any grant monies intended for repairs or improvements would be part of the package if a transfer occurred, but he cautioned such matters would be negotiated.

Several commissioners and Robbins also discussed potential rate impacts for town customers if a future transfer required repairs or improvements beyond existing grant funding. Robbins described how in similar arrangements — citing Greenwood Utilities' assumption of another town's system as an example — expenses above what the acquiring utility would normally bear are typically borne by the customers served by the acquired system rather than by all county customers.

Formal action and next steps: Vice Chair Davis moved to "consider and approve execution of the attachment memorandum of understanding and understanding between Halifax County and the town of Littleton." Commissioner Silva seconded. The motion was approved by voice vote; those present responded "Aye" and no opposition was voiced on the record. Commissioners instructed staff, including the public utilities director, to evaluate the town's infrastructure and report back; Robbins said the county would return for approval if it sought to retain an outside consultant.

The MOU discussion and vote were recorded as part of the meeting minutes; staff said Littleton has already taken its approval steps and is awaiting the county's action to proceed with next steps.