White City council seeks federal funds for water work as residents press PFAS concerns

WHITE CITY — The White City Council on March 2 unanimously approved a resolution to seek federal earmarked funds for water projects as residents and council members raised concerns about PFOS/PFOA contamination and the city’s capacity to respond.

Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Nichelson introduced the resolution and said the item was to authorize the city to pursue federal funding opportunities for water infrastructure. Councilmember DJ Bennett moved the resolution and Councilmember Karissa Noland seconded; the measure passed 3-0.

During public comment, resident Eddie Billue asked for "progress on the solution to the PFOS/PFOA project," saying he was "very concerned about our answers to questions relating to this issue." Councilmember Bennett and Mayor Pro Tem Nichelson told the meeting the city was looking into possible solutions.

The council also approved a paving contract for Kelly Trail and Water Tank Roadway with sole bidder NW Georgia Paving. Officials said the city has roughly $41,000 in 2014 SPLOS funds eligible for the work and that the paving cost would be less than $25,000; the contract was approved 3-0.

Officials notified residents of an annual water-rate change. The minutes state the base rate "will be .29 cents" and that the amount of water covered by the base rate will decrease from 1,000 gallons to 500 gallons; the record does not clarify whether the figure refers to $0.29 or another unit, and the city did not provide additional detail at the meeting.

Councilmember Bennett said he takes water-system problems seriously and that funding responses will depend on the nature of needs — for example, PFAS/PFOA remediation vs. regular maintenance.

The council approved the funding-resolution vote and the paving contract, and directed staff to continue pursuing options for water projects, including potential federal funding sources. No timetable for grant applications or project start dates was provided.