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Council hears first reading on up to $33 million in CPW revenue bonds for water and sewer upgrades
Summary
At first reading the council received Ordinance 13-2026 from the Greer Commission of Public Works to authorize up to $33 million in combined utility revenue bonds (about $22M expected projects) for water and wastewater improvements. Council members asked detailed questions about liability, capacity, rate impacts and paving responsibilities.
The Greer City Council received, on first reading, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of combined utility system revenue bonds by the Greer Commission of Public Works (CPW) for water and wastewater projects, with a not-to-exceed aggregate principal amount of $33 million and an expected $22 million of project spending.
Mark Rajir, identified in the meeting as general manager of the Greer Commission of Public Works, told the council the funds would be used primarily for sewer lift-station upgrades, capacity-expanding work at the wastewater plant headworks, water-plant rehab and replacement/upsizing of some water and sewer mains in the right of way. “We’re adding capacity in certain components,” Rajir said, describing larger pumps at several sewer pump stations and work at the headworks to increase throughput.
Council members pressed CPW and staff on whether the bonds create a contingent liability for the city, who ultimately bears risk if CPW revenues fall short, and whether rates would rise. CPW and city staff emphasized the ordinance and audit language: the debt is predicated on CPW revenues and is not a general-tax obligation of the city. City staff described the council’s role as ministerial for this authorization and said the legal text and audit clarify that the city’s taxes cannot be used to repay CPW’s revenue bonds.
Council questions covered technical and governance points: whether the projects add capacity or only maintain existing systems; how CPW handles pavement restoration after utility cuts; whether bond-funded projects are expected to change customer rates; and how much wastewater and water capacity remains. Rajir said there is significant raw-water and treatment capacity in city reservoirs and treatment plants for many years, but wastewater is closer to thresholds that trigger planning and construction under state rules. He estimated rebuilding wastewater capacity at current prices would cost in the hundreds of millions, and that the bond package is intended to rehabilitate, add capacity and stay ahead of growth.
The ordinance was received for discussion; councilmembers recorded mixed votes on the receipt. Staff said CPW’s commission had voted unanimously to proceed and noted prior bond-funded projects for gas-related work were underway. The council did not take final action on the ordinance; staff and CPW will return as needed under subsequent steps.
