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Coweta commissioners direct staff to pursue sewer IGA to serve Sharpsburg residents
Summary
The Coweta County Board of Commissioners instructed staff to draft an intergovernmental agreement allowing Coweta County Water & Sewer to provide residential sewer service to the town of Sharpsburg, limited to properties inside existing city limits; motion passed following public support from Sharpsburg officials and residents.
The Coweta County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 22 to direct staff to draft an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that would allow Coweta County Water & Sewer to provide residential sewer service to the town of Sharpsburg, with commissioners saying the arrangement should be limited to properties inside the town’s current municipal boundaries.
The decision followed a string of public comments in support of the proposal. Elizabeth Goode, identified as Mayor of Sharpsburg, told commissioners that sewer access is “critical for the health, safety, and long‑term sustainability of our community,” arguing that reliable sewer infrastructure would reduce reliance on failing septic systems and spur economic revitalization in the small downtown business district.
State Rep. Josh Bonner, who represents House District 73 including parts of Coweta County, also urged the board to approve the request, saying sewer access would benefit residents and businesses and that the city is not seeking a handout but an opportunity to contract for service. Sharpsburg resident Blue Cole told the board that the service would improve access for seniors and support economic development.
County staff reminded commissioners of a 2006 IGA that generally limits the authority’s ability to provide residential sewer service unless authorized by county ordinance or a new IGA. Staff also said the water and sewer authority can serve commercial and industrial customers without the board’s further approval, but residential service would require county action.
Commissioners discussed limiting the scope of any agreement to existing Sharpsburg city limits to avoid incentivizing annexations or extension beyond current municipal boundaries, and asked staff to verify capacity and other technical conditions. A motion to pursue drafting the IGA with those parameters passed on a voice vote.
Next steps: staff will draft the IGA language and return to the board with recommended parameters for approval.
