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Regional water-and-sewer study urges interlocal agreements, eventual county authority
Summary
A Central Pines COG presentation urged Kenly to pursue interlocal water-and-sewer agreements now and work toward a countywide authority within three years to address rapid growth and infrastructure funding needs.
Lee Worsley, executive director of the Central Pines Council of Governments, told the Kenly Town Council on Aug. 12 that a six‑month study recommends that small towns begin interlocal agreements immediately and pursue a countywide water and sewer authority within three years to meet rapid growth and infrastructure needs.
Worsley said a regional authority would combine local systems under a single legal entity to broaden the customer base and make larger infrastructure investments more feasible, but that such consolidation would reduce local autonomy because voting rights and decision‑making would be negotiated among member jurisdictions. He framed intergovernmental cooperation as a short‑term alternative that would allow towns to keep more local control while addressing urgent needs.
Worsley noted that Johnston County has grown about 36% over the last decade, a trend he said will accelerate as I‑540 and I‑42 expand. He told the council that smaller jurisdictions are struggling to expand and maintain systems and that state and federal grant programs favor regional projects.
Mayor Herbert Hales II said Kenly needs to “get on the front end” of regional planning and flagged the practical pressures on small towns with independent sewage plants. Council Member Beverly Knight asked specifically about the town’s sewer capacity for the Cottonfield project; Interim Town Manager Tony Sears said Kenly’s allotment is still held and that state permitting is under review.
Worsley recommended forming a Policy Committee and a Technical Advisory Committee, continuing stakeholder engagement and immediately negotiating interlocal agreements with neighboring towns while working toward a larger, countywide authority as a three‑year goal.
The council did not take formal action on the study during the meeting; members expressed commitment to continue exploring regional collaboration.
The next procedural step described by presenters is committee formation and stakeholder outreach to begin interlocal agreement negotiations.
