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Sopchoppy council adopts water asset plan, hears Well 7 update and discusses ending Eden Springs lease
Summary
The Sopchoppy City Council adopted a water system asset management plan and received an updated timeline for Well 7. City officials discussed Eden Springs’ renewal demand and signaled the City may develop its own well rather than renew the 2031 lease.
The Sopchoppy City Council on June 8 adopted Resolution 2026‑03 approving the Water System Asset Management and Fiscal Sustainability Plan, and heard an update on Well 7 and the future of the Eden Springs lease.
The council voted 5‑0 to adopt the resolution after City Clerk Schilling presented the plan. Jeff Jones of Donovan‑Hill Group briefed the council on updated milestones for Well 7; PWD Green and council members agreed not to spend an estimated $20,000–$30,000 to install temporary power for a few months, and Green will seek clarification from the lab on one area of the chemical analysis and repeat the sample, Mayor Leonard Tartt said the council expects the contractor to stay on schedule and Attorney Dan Cox will address contractor delays if they occur.
Why it matters: decisions about long‑term water supply and asset management affect Sopchoppy’s eligibility for state infrastructure financing and the city’s operating costs.
Attorney Dan Cox told the council that Eden Springs has proposed renewing its current lease at $25,000 per year plus a per‑gallon fee for pumping above 1,000,000 gallons per year, using a 10‑year renewable lease with stipulations. Cox and PWD Green noted that state reviewers of State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan applications generally prefer leases of 20 years or longer. Cox recommended placing a new city well on nearby city property and advised informing Eden Springs the city does not plan to renew the existing lease when it expires in 2031.
Council members did not take further formal action on the lease during the meeting. Cox also reported he is preparing Capital Facilities Element data and expects to bring materials back to the June 23 meeting to support transmittal hearings in July.
Next steps: PWD Green will repeat the disputed water sample, Attorney Cox will continue work on capital facilities materials, and the council will consider any subsequent proposals or procurement steps related to a new well or contract decisions.
