Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Infrastructure Wastewater topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prince George supervisors decline county-built wastewater plant after staff says funds insufficient
Summary
After staff and consultant presentations comparing Hopewell and Sussex options, the board voted to deny proceeding with a county-built wastewater treatment option based on Davenport's analysis that the utility cannot sustain the capital and operating costs without significant rate or tax increases.
Prince George County staff presented two wastewater conveyance and treatment options and asked the board for direction. One option would convey up to 2 million gallons per day (MGD) to a Hopewell facility; another would pursue a Sussex option with capacity up to 6 MGD. Staff told the board the Hopewell option’s capital cost is just over $42,000,000 while the Sussex option’s capital cost is about $80,000,000 and that operational costs differ substantially between the options.
Utilities staff summarized the financing picture and said Davenport’s analysis showed the utility could not sustain the operating and capital costs without a substantial rate increase. Staff said available funding included roughly $10 million in grant funds, $5 million in developer contributions and about $19 million in debt service funds, but that some grant availability was uncertain. The Sussex option, staff said, would require an estimated tax-rate increase (presented as a roughly 5¢ increase in the tax rate in staff slides) if the identified grant and contribution assumptions hold.
Board members expressed differing views. Some said the project is a necessary investment to support growth, attract industry and supply utilities for future schools; others warned the plan would shift costs to tax- and ratepayers who may never see direct benefit and could harm low-income residents. Short-term measures — pump upgrades — were discussed as a way to obtain modest additional capacity while longer-term solutions are evaluated.
On a motion stating Davenport’s recommendation that the county did not have funds to proceed, the board voted to deny moving forward with the county-built plant option. Board members recorded their votes on the motion during roll call; the transcript shows the motion carried. Several members said the county should pursue alternative approaches including negotiating capacity allocations, staging pump upgrades, saving and allocating funds, or continuing to pursue grants.
What was at stake: The decision affects long-range water/wastewater planning in a fast-growing county. Staff said the county is currently purchasing wastewater capacity from Hopewell and water from external providers and that rate increases from those providers affect local utility rates. The board’s decision stops active pursuit of constructing a county-operated plant at this time, while staff continues to analyze alternatives and funding strategies.
Next steps: Staff will retain options analysis and seek board direction on pursuing grants, negotiations with neighboring jurisdictions or short-term capacity upgrades; the board asked staff to return with further options and potential timelines.
