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Town and county meet on PSA charter and options to fund water and sewer capital needs
Summary
In a joint session, town leaders, county supervisors and PSA board representatives discussed revising the 50‑year PSA charter, creation of a predictable capital‑funding process and setting up a restricted accrual fund for emergency and capital repairs; town proposed a 10‑year charter term with periodic reviews.
Town and county officials and members of the Public Service Authority (PSA) held a joint discussion about the PSA charter, long-term governance and how to finance major water and sewer capital needs.
Town representatives said the existing 50‑year charter was too long and proposed a 10‑year renewal term with more frequent reviews and clearer, mutually agreed processes for approving PSA capital projects. The town proposed that rather than transferring funds directly to the PSA, the town and county maintain their own reserves earmarked for PSA capital requests and disburse funds for specific approved projects after the PSA makes a formal request to both governing bodies (town presentation, SEG 8216–8324).
PSA citizen representatives and staff outlined operational risks and financing realities: board member Trent Cox and PSA staff noted that while operating performance has improved and recent grants and ARPA funds helped major repairs, the system remains capital‑hungry and water supply vulnerabilities (reliance on Well 6 and depleted other wells) represent a near‑term risk (Trent Cox, Mike Masillany and PSA superintendent comments; SEG 9025–9330). PSA members recommended an accrual-style reserve fund, established by periodic contributions from town and county budgets, that would be available for rapid response to catastrophic failures and large capital replacements.
Speakers from both sides agreed on two themes: the need for better, regular communication between the boards and a formal, transparent process by which the PSA can present prioritized capital projects and request funding from the town and the county. Town representatives suggested a 10‑year charter term with a scheduled review interval; PSA and county members emphasized the need to embed financial and exit provisions in any amended charter and to ask legal counsel to draft language consistent with Virginia code.
No formal vote was taken; the boards agreed to continue drafting charter language, to involve counsel in reviewing proposals, and to schedule follow‑up meetings to refine a capital funding approach.
