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Pearl River Valley Water Supply District asks for $30 million authority, seeks help covering dredging, riprap and spillway study match
Summary
Adam Choad told the committee the Pearl River district is a special-fund agency seeking an increase in spending authority to $30 million, a $4 million shoreline riprap allocation, help with a 35% match (~$400,000) on a $1.1 million FEMA study grant, and guidance on redirecting prior dredging funds (HB 867) after a contractor cancelled.
Adam Choad, executive director of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, told the Appropriations Committee the district does not receive general fund money and relies on leases, roughly 6,000 water/sewer customers, five campgrounds and user fees for revenue. "We're not requesting any general funds," Choad said.
Choad asked the committee to consider an increase in the district's special-fund spending authority to $30,000,000 to provide flexibility for capital repairs and projects. He outlined three immediate priorities: roughly $4,000,000 to repair riprap along about 26 miles of the reservoir shoreline where erosion is threatening adjacent roads; a $1,100,000 FEMA grant (via MDEQ) to study spillway gates that carries a 35% local match (about $400,000); and a previously funded dredging project that the contractor asked to cancel.
Regarding the dredging contract, Choad said the contractor requested a cancellation for convenience after a key subcontractor died and bonding disputes ensued. He said the district has spent some mobilization funds (the legislature earlier appropriated $1,750,000) and that a demand letter has been sent to the contractor's bonding company; he said the district will seek a replacement contractor but warned procurement and completion could take many months.
Choad described House Bill 867, filed by Representative Brent Powell, which would change the scope of the earlier dredging appropriation to allow use for shoreline protection (riprap). "If that's the case, we would not need as much from other sources," he said.
On infrastructure condition, Choad said the district has about 105 miles of shoreline, weekly dam inspections and an annual full engineering inspection. Asked whether the spillway-study would produce large repair needs, he estimated endpoint repairs could be about $4,000,000, though he stressed the study will clarify exact needs.
Committee members asked about maintenance, rates and whether the district could quickly secure a new dredging contractor. Choad said the district would continue procurement efforts but expects delays and litigation could complicate a rapid restart. He asked the committee to consider help covering the FEMA-match requirement and flexibility to reallocate appropriation dollars if HB 867 advances.
