Monroe council renews 10‑year water, sewer agreement with Unionville, asks staff to add capacity protections
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Summary
The Monroe City Council approved a 10‑year renewal of an interlocal water and wastewater agreement with the Town of Unionville and directed staff to return with a cost‑benefit analysis and possible capacity trigger to protect Monroe’s system.
The Monroe City Council on Jan. 13 approved a 10‑year renewal of an interlocal agreement to provide water and wastewater service to properties along the Monroe–Unionville border and instructed staff to study safeguards to protect city capacity.
Rob Miller, presenting the renewal, said the existing agreement expired in January 2025 and that the arrangement allows Monroe to serve a limited number of properties near Ridge Road/601 and Poplin Road where the city’s infrastructure crosses municipal boundaries. Council members asked how many parcels currently receive service; Miller said "a handful, 5 to 10." Miller also confirmed the agreement requires approval by the Town of Unionville and the Union County Board of Commissioners.
Councilmembers pressed for protections to ensure outside service does not impair Monroe’s supply, especially amid drought concerns. Councilmember Dodson and others said the draft agreement does not include a capacity trigger or threshold that would limit outside connections if city supply reaches a specified level. City staff said enforcement of water restrictions for outside customers would fall under Monroe’s water shortage plan and could include code enforcement, police and water resources staff.
After approving the renewal, Dodson moved — and a second was recorded — that staff return with two items: a cost‑benefit analysis of outside service (including the financial effect of higher rates charged to outside customers) and a proposal for a capacity trigger or threshold to be included in the city's outside‑service policy or future interlocal agreements. The council approved that direction by voice vote. City staff noted the interlocal agreement has undergone legal review and that any changes would need Unionville’s concurrence.
Action taken: council approved the interlocal renewal and separately directed staff to prepare fiscal analysis and capacity safeguards for future consideration.
The agreement, as presented, is a 10‑year renewal; the exact effective date and the final text as approved by Unionville and Union County were not specified at the meeting.
