A SEARCH FOR
WATER AND MORE DEBT
JCWSA is seeking a new
water source along with more debt. The
City of Monticello
has signed an agreement to enter into a joint venture with JCWSA to share in
the water search, the operations, and the debt.
A
meeting between the JCWSA and the City of Monticello was held 4/30/08, at 10:00AM
in the upper conference room at City Hall. Those present for the City of
Monticello were City Manager Hugh King, Mayor Glenn Newsome, and Mayor Pro Tem
Russell Gross. Representing the
JCWSA were Chairman Brack Pound, member Jimmy Harrison, Water Tech Tom Brazil,
Executive Director Linda Jordan, and Engineer Frank Sherrill.
The purpose of
the meeting was to discuss a joint City/Authority effort to seek a groundwater
source for both entities. The meeting conversation
centered on the Cedar Creek (Feldspar) area for wells. Engineer Frank Sherrill did most of the
talking. He told everyone that there are two (2) funding sources—GEFA at 4.1% for 30
years and USDA at 4.5% for 40 years. He
explained that with an USDA loan, payback started when the project is
finished. He added, “This is revenue
bond. It will be couple of years before
you are in pay back situation.” He also
said, “Brian
Wright, city auditor, said it was do-able with city funds and that ‘it was
clearly within the City’s capability.’”
Sherrill continued, “Based on recent
audits, both [entities] are financially capable of taking on more debt.” He said they
needed a comfort letter from the auditors and city attorney.
TWG questions the
ability of JCWSA to borrow more money when approximately 800 property owners
were just billed an extra $52 on their tax bills as a “hydrant tax.” The Commissioners and the County Attorney
have both said during public meetings that the “hydrant tax” is to pay the USDA
debt that JCWSA would not be able to pay without this additional income. This
tax was just extended another year.
The City Council hears continued complaints about the high
cost of utilities. If the City takes on more debt how will this affect the City taxpayers? They already pay almost 7 mils more tax than
County residents along with very high utility bills. Will utility bills become higher to pay this
extra debt? Will property taxes
increase?
Jasper
County needs water
sources for our future. County water policy should be comprehensive
and planned, not just a reaction to rezonings. Water customers in both the City and County
should not become overloaded with debt resulting in higher water rates.
In the 4/30/08 meeting, the
reason for the search for water was to ensure the City would have a plentiful
supply. However, other issues
surfaced during the discussion.
Mrs. Jordan
mentioned that there was continued talk of industry coming –another reason to
locate wells in the area. Industry would
need water. (In next day’s paper- May 1,
2008- 400+ ac of land is being requested for rezoning from AG to M-2 in this
same area. See legal ad below.) She said, “We need to go forward and borrow money to do
it. We need an agreement with the City.”
Mr.
Pound continued, “Let’s go back to our boards and say that this is what we want
to pursue. There are two property owners
who have expressed a willingness to sell us property. These 2 sites haven’t been studied before. We
will divide the cost of the study for these 2 sites. Let’s see what geologist says about these 2
sites.”
Sherrill
said, “Let’s put the reports together and go to the funding agencies. We need to go
ahead and start the funding applications now under GEFA.”
Mr.
Pound concluded, “This is obvious; JCWSA is interested because this is another
source of supply. We will need this
water in the future over the next 10 years.
This is good for both of us. We
need to get our boards to go forward. We
have a partnership that has been working for some time.”
The agreement for this joint venture was voted on and signed
5/13/08 at the JCWSA meeting and the City Council meeting respectively. See copy of agreement here: www.taxdogs.com/JCWSACityMOUWells5.13.08.pdf
TWG urges the
City Council to consider exactly what they are getting for their 50% share of
costs and maintenance. Who will be
serving any new industry in the Cedar Creek area? This area appears to be in the JCWSA service
delivery, not the City’s. Does the City
anticipate growth south of the City where this new water line will be run to
help recoup their costs? Citizens need
to be aware of how this agreement may affect their future water rates and/or
taxes.
See 2005 projected costs vs. 2008 projected costs. Engineering fees were 9%; they are now 11% of
the higher cost estimates. http://www.taxdogs.com/Cedar%20Creek%20Wells%20Cost%202008%20&%202006.pdf
Legal No. 9839
May 1, 8, 2008
The Monticello
News
NOTICE OF
ZONING HEARING
The Jasper County Planning and Zoning Commission will
conduct public hearing on the following items at their regular schedule meeting
on May 22, 2008 beginning at 7:00 pm
in the County Annex
building, 162 N. Warren
Street, Monticello, GA
Application 2008Z03, applicant Development Authority of Jasper County,
owner William Malone, GAP Family Holdings, and Malone Key Holdings to rezone
470.43 acres located on Feldspar
Rd, Perimeter
Rd, and Georgia
Pacific Spur Rd from Agriculture to M2.
Located on map 40 parcels 20,21,28.
The Jasper County
Board of Commissioner will conduct public hearing on the following items at a
regular meeting on July 7, 2008 beginning at 9:00 am in the Jasper County Courthouse
meeting room, 126 W. Greene
Street, Monticello, GA.
See
more on Cedar Creek Wells: http://www.taxdogs.com/090707cedarcreek.htm
August
23, 2007—JCWSA meeting—from meeting recording--Chairman: It’s not ongoing at all. We’re not actively exploring any
sites at this time. Long Term solution has to be a reservoir. City
at this time is not active with us. Asked city to accept that they would use a
considerable amount of water. City is not willing to do that. As the meeting
continued after more discussion the JCWSA Engineer, Frank Sherill said,
“At this point in time we don’t see this as a project.”
