Public utilities present multi-decade service plan; commissioners press for proactive septic strategy

Public utilities staff presented the 2025 service-delivery and capital-infrastructure plan, describing a roughly $500 million 20-year portfolio and noting that the earlier projected 10% rate increase had been reduced in the plan to an anticipated 3% near-term increase.

Staff said the fiscal assessment identifies priorities and that roughly $319 million of wastewater projects are focused on existing-line repairs and capacity issues. Commissioners asked whether SPLOST or other funding could accelerate work; staff said SPLOST has been used previously to speed enterprise projects and could be considered.

A lengthy discussion followed on septic policy and responsibility. The manager and staff emphasized that septic permitting and enforcement are state responsibilities (health department) while the county can address reactive enforcement and explore proactive funding options (CDBG, targeted assistance). Commissioner Thornton urged a proactive committee to examine septic systems in the Sandy Creek basin; Commissioner Myers and others asked whether the plan's 90% sewer-service goal referred to parcels or population, and staff said they would clarify that language in the plan.

Staff noted some sewer improvements are staged and that maps of capacity constraints will be periodically updated; commissioners asked for clearer reporting on system capacity and proposed projects before final budget action.