Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Finance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Scotland County commissioners review strong water-district finances; manager flags five-year city agreement
Summary
Finance Director M. Butler told commissioners the county's two water districts posted solid revenues and cash balances for the year ending June 30, 2025; commissioners requested expense breakdowns, asked about payments to HDR and Jim Blackwell, and heard that a five-year water agreement with the City will be on the Board agenda.
Finance Director M. Butler told the Scotland County Board of Commissioners during a water-district meeting on Jan. 5 that the county's two water districts ended the fiscal year in strong financial condition. As of June 30, 2025, District I had revenues of $873,564 and expenses of $572,451, and District II had revenues of $1,802,013 and expenses of $988,425. Ending cash balances were reported at $1,942,524 for District I and $3,252,574 for District II.
The figures were presented as part of a routine financial update. Vice Chair O'Neal described the districts as "healthy" under current operations. Commissioner Ivey asked whether payments to the consultant HDR and to Jim Blackwell had already been deducted; County Manager April Snead said the payment to Jim Blackwell will be charged to the current fiscal year. Finance Director M. Butler said she will provide a detailed breakdown of a $117,000 2025 expense item at the board's request.
Snead also contrasted the present picture with earlier years, saying the districts had not been healthy in the past. She told commissioners that a water-service agreement with the City will be for five years rather than the previously discussed 20-year term and that the agreement appears on the Board of Commissioners agenda for consideration.
Commissioners and staff discussed timing and audit procedure. M. Butler confirmed the report covered the last fiscal year and that a single county audit creates the August and January reporting cadence; Snead and Commissioner Ivey noted the City's billing schedule affects those reporting dates.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda: Motion by Vice Chair O'Neal; second Commissioner Shelley. Vote: unanimous. - Approve minutes: Motion by Commissioner Shelley; second Commissioner Edge. Vote: unanimous. - Adjourn meeting: Motion by Commissioner Shelley; second Vice Chair O'Neal. Vote: unanimous.
The water-district meeting concluded after the three procedural votes. The County Manager indicated the five-year City water agreement will be addressed at an upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting; staff committed to providing the requested expense breakdown for the $117,000 item.
