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Pickens County weighs service-delivery strategy, considers challenge to Jasper water-rate differentials
Summary
County staff briefed commissioners on Georgia—service-delivery strategy requirements and options to address alleged "arbitrarily higher" water rates charged to unincorporated Pickens County customers who receive Jasper water; steps cited include public hearings, an engineer rate study, mediation and, if needed, superior-court action.
Bill, the county—s presenter on service delivery strategy, told the Pickens County Board of Commissioners that Georgia law requires each jurisdiction to document services, funding sources and intergovernmental agreements and that the state—s rules constrain how fees are set for customers outside a provider—s geographic boundaries.
"Water or sewer fees charged to customers located outside the geographic boundaries of a service provider...shall not be arbitrarily higher than the fees charged to customers receiving such services which are located within the geographic boundaries of the service provider," Bill said, echoing statutory language and adding, "The statute is pretty clear on its face." The presentation traced earlier SDS filings for Pickens County (1999, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2018) and recounted unsuccessful attempts during 2022 negotiations to refresh intergovernmental agreements and correct perceived service and tax inequities.
Bill outlined the procedural path if the county disputes a rate differential: hold public hearings that solicit affected residents' input, commission a rate study by a qualified engineer to determine whether a differential is arbitrary, attempt alternative dispute resolution or mandatory mediation, and, if mediation fails, seek court supervision in superior court. He said a valid engineer study is a prerequisite for mediation.
The briefing focused on concerns from unincorporated Pickens County customers who buy Jasper water and said the county must also examine service-delivery area maps and existing intergovernmental agreements, which Bill said the county—s current SDS does not list. He urged the board to decide whether to pursue interim actions before the next standard SDS filing (due in 2028, with preparatory work likely in 2027) or wait for the full filing.
Commissioners asked whether staff has held formal talks with Jasper—s current city manager and elected officials; Bill said no formal sit-down has occurred and staff will pursue individual outreach to commissioners and other relevant parties before returning with recommended next steps. He also noted statutory procedure changes taking effect in January 2026 that could affect the 2028 SDS process but not actions taken before then.
Next steps: the board must decide whether to initiate interim action (water-only or broader service revisions), direct staff to commission a rate study, and coordinate public hearings and outreach to affected municipalities.
