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Commission approves $500,000 capital note to extend waterlines, with study of utility ‘dead spots’
Summary
After debate and amendments, commissioners approved committing to a $500,000 capital outlay note to extend several waterlines to allow future CDBG eligibility; vote was 16–5 and included direction for a workshop/study with the two water utility districts.
Claiborne County commissioners voted on Feb. 24 to commit the county to a $500,000 capital outlay note to fund multiple waterline extensions intended to position parts of the county to qualify for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in 2021.
Discussion and amendment: The resolution originally proposed waterline runs on Pine Hill Road, Johnson Road, Shackleford Lane, Sharp Road and Mud Hollow Road, Iron Works Road and Poplar Grove Road collectively serving an estimated 187 households. Debate among commissioners concerned whether the county should pay now for lines that primarily create future eligibility for federal grant programs or whether the water utility districts should lead a coordinated study. An amendment adopted before the final vote added a requirement for a workshop or study with the county's two water utility districts to identify smaller "dead spots" that might be served without grant funding; the amended motion then passed 16–5.
Why it matters: commissioners were told that linking or extending existing lines could make the service areas eligible for CDBG funding, and that without constructed connections some locations would remain ineligible because they have no houses directly on the unconnected segments. The county's Finance Department was instructed to administer bids for the capital outlay notes, and Vaughn & Melton Engineering will perform engineering and bidding for construction.
Votes and procedure: the final approved motion commits the county to issue a capital note of $500,000 and instructs county staff to proceed with engineering and bidding. The motion was made by Commissioner Mundy and carried following the adopted amendment. One commissioner had unsuccessfully moved to table the item for an additional month.
Next steps and public impact: Engineering and bid procurement will determine timing; the work is intended to create grant-eligible connections that could extend potable water to roughly 187 residents across several parts of the county. Commissioners directed the county to coordinate with water utility districts as part of the amended decision.
