Royston City Council approves $6,025,471.61 natural gas contract, $576,202.82 meter project and extends GEFA loan deadlines

The City of Royston Council unanimously approved a series of infrastructure contracts and related financing actions at its July 8, 2025 regular meeting.

Council awarded the 2025 Natural Gas Pressure Improvement Project to Southern Pipeline LLC for $6,025,471.61 following a recommendation from consulting engineers Carter & Sloope. Councilman Jason Phillips moved to award the bid; Councilman Fletcher Hodges seconded, and the motion passed 6-0.

The council also adopted a resolution declaring the city’s intent to use tax-exempt financing for the Natural Gas Pressure Improvement Project; City Manager Lanier Dunn said the previously adopted resolution required updating to reflect current amounts. Councilman Matt Fields moved the resolution; Councilman Phillips seconded and the motion passed 6-0.

For gas metering, the council awarded a contract to Equipment Controls Company for an Automated Meter Reading system in the amount of $576,202.82. Dunn said the system would enable remote reading of almost all gas meters in the system—about 1,800 meters. Councilman Fields moved to award the contract; Councilman Fletcher Hodges seconded; the motion passed 6-0.

Separately, the council approved an award to Fortson Well Company for the three-step installation of an 8-inch permitted water well (included in the FY2026 budget) and awarded a bid for the Raw Water and Sewer Plant projects' procurement/contracting steps as presented on the agenda; motions for these awards passed 6-0.

The council also approved two resolutions modifying promissory notes and loan agreements with the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) to extend project completion dates only: one for the Wastewater Plant Tertiary Treatment Project and one for the Raw Water Pump Station Project. Both modifications were presented as date extensions only; each was approved 6-0.

Votes at a glance

• G-4 — Awarded Southern Pipeline LLC $6,025,471.61 for 2025 Natural Gas Pressure Improvement Project. Moved: Councilman Jason Phillips; Second: Councilman Fletcher Hodges; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

• G-7 — Awarded Equipment Controls Company $576,202.82 for Automated Meter Reading system (natural gas). Moved: Councilman Matt Fields; Second: Councilman Fletcher Hodges; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

• G-6 — Awarded Fortson Well Company for installation of an 8" permitted water well (FY2026 budget). Moved: Councilman Matt Fields; Second: Councilman Tony McCollum; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

• G-5 — Adopted resolution declaring intent to use tax-exempt financing for Natural Gas project. Moved: Councilman Matt Fields; Second: Councilman Jason Phillips; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

• G-8 — Approved GEFA promissory note modification (Wastewater Plant Tertiary Treatment Project) to extend completion date only. Moved: Councilman Jason Phillips; Second: Councilman Kenneth Roach; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

• G-9 — Approved GEFA promissory note modification (Raw Water Pump Station Project) to extend completion date only. Moved: Councilman Matt Fields; Second: Councilman Jason Phillips; Outcome: Approved 6-0.

Context: The contracts and financing items advance planned water and natural-gas infrastructure work the city has included in its FY2026 program. The GEFA items were presented as schedule extensions only; no new loan amounts were recorded in the minutes. All formal motions on these items passed unanimously.