June 16, 2026 Regular Board Meeting

Call to Order - Chairman Marett called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m. Board members present were Eddie Roberts, Curtis Taylor, Eddie Ford, Rick Jeffares, Bill Jones, and Jimmy White. Also present were Colby Still and Scott McCrary with Consolidated Pipe, David Ellis with M & E Construction, and Amber Eason, clerk to the board. Staff members present were Alyssa Lackey, general manager, Alex McCart, project engineer, and Karsten Gotel, field service & data collection technician.

Approval of Minutes of May 19th Meeting- Mr. Marett made a motion to dispense with the reading of, and to adopt the minutes of May 19, 2026,meeting, with any necessary corrections being made. This was seconded by Mr. Taylor and approved unanimously.

Discuss Meter Changeout Quote - Ms. Lackey reported that the 1,600 water meters that were replaced in April is marginally increasing revenue. However, the remaining 4,600 meters are at a 58% failing rate resulting in a lost of accuracy and under registration. Water continues to move through the system but is not fully measured.

Revenue lost is also tied to missed reads and meter failures. Creating a gap between how much water is delivered and how much is actually recorded. She also stated that these issues have increased staff work for administration and field crews. Recommending the failing meters to be replaced.

Colby Still with Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company presented a quote to implement a complete meter changeout project totaling $1,664,000. The cost includes:
• 4,600 water meters in various sizes
• Labor by M&E Construction to change out the meters and reset or replace meter boxes
• A base station attached to the Hwy 16 W elevated tank. The 25′ antenna would record and transmit meter readings from West Butts to the Authority's billing software.

The base station is optional but it has been worked into the quote at no additional cost. According to David Ellis with M & E Construction work can begin as early as July. Colby Still, Scott McCrary, David Ellis and Karsten Gotel exited the meeting at 5:55pm.

Ms. Lackey suggested a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) grant to fund the meter changeout project. A motion was made Mr. Jeffares instructing Ms. Lackey to submit an application to GEFA for the meter changeout project totaling $1,664,000. This was seconded by Mr. Taylor and approved unanimously. A copy of the quote is attached and made part of these minutes.

Engineers Report- Alex McCart

Mr. McCart reported that he toured both the Burford Water Treatment Plant and the Stewart Water Treatment Plant to implement a sludge removal plan. 

Mr. McCart reported that he has a meeting scheduled with Butts County Planning and Zoning to review upcoming developmental plans. 

Mr. McCart reported that he has spent time getting familiarized with the Authority's water and sewer system. He is working on determining high and low pressure zones throughout the County.

Managers Report-

Water Main Break on Hwy 36 West - Ms. Lackey reported that on May 22, 2026 there was a 12 inch water main break on Highway 36 West just outside of the City limits. It appears that the break was caused by an embankment headwall collapsing. Customers were without water for a period of time and a boil water advisory was issued. The water was restored by midday on May 23, 2026.  There are plans in place for Pyles Construction to replace the ductile iron pipe in the upcoming weeks.

Certificate of Deposits - Ms. Lackey reported that two Certificate of Deposits (CD's) totaling $6,266,813 at Ameris Bank renewed at a 3.93% APY for 12 months.

Operations Statistics - Ms. Lackey went over the water production, water loss and customer statistics for May. The average daily finished water pumped to the Authority, Jackson, and Jenkinsburg from Burford and Stewart plant was 2.93 million gallons per day, with a maximum of 3.84 million gallons per day. The rolling twelve-month average loss of 7% with the current monthly average at 3%. The total amount of finished water pumped in May by each plant was: Burford 71 million gallons and Stewart 20 million gallons.

Water billing for May was $436,754 up 2% from the previous month, up 8% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 22% the same month for the previous year. Sewer billing for May was $84,767 up 1% from the previous month, up 2% over a rolling 12-month total, and up 31% from the previous year.

Total water accounts numbered 6,892 at the end of May with 5,801 of those being active customers. There were 7 new connections sold. There were 263 total sewer accounts at the end of May, with 214 of them being active customers.

Financial Report - Ms. Lackey reviewed the financial summary for Water & Sewer Operations and Capital Recovery Fees for May 2026 and Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) through May 31, 2026.

Water Operations income for May was $492,173 with expenses of $538,618. Water capital recovery fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2026 thus far was $181,533 with $0 in expenses.

Sewer Operations income for May was $89,569 with expenses of $53,824. Sewer Capital Recovery Fee revenue for Fiscal Year 2026 thus far was $117,954 with $0 in expenses.

For the 2019-25 SPLOST, $4,686,904 has been collected. Overages in the 2019-25 SPLOST are being covered by temporary transfers from the Water Operations fund

For the 2026-2031 SPLOST a payment of $83,477.26 was received on May 5, 2026.

Total cash on hand at the end of June was $17,061,266. Copies of the May 2026 financial summaries, the consolidated fund balance sheet and the consolidated fund income statement are attached and made a part of these minutes.

Adjourn - A motion was made by Mr. Taylor to adjourn the meeting at 6:11p.m. This was seconded by Mr. Ford and approved unanimously.