LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Jones County Commissioners appear to be ready to make an offer to the city that has been discussed for decades.
The City of Gray is and has been the county’s biggest water customer. An April 18 work session was held to discuss bulk water sales to the city.
The catalyst for the meeting was a recent increase in water rates that was an unexpected and unpleasant surprise for Gray’s City Council. The increase was announced at a March 20 meeting of the city’s committees by Councilman David Tufts.
Tufts said the increase was discovered when the city received its February water bill from the county. City Superintendent Cheyenne Morgan said the increase was from $3.76 per thousand gallons to $4.44 per thousand gallons.
The superintendent said that is significant because the city purchased 104,000,000 gallons in 2022. That equates to an increased cost to the city of more than $70,000. Morgan said the city would have no choice but the raise customers’ rates to mirror the increase from the county.
The county actually raised its rates in an Aug. 16, 2022, meeting but the rates did not take effect until January.
County Administrator Jason Rizner presented options to the commissioners at the April 18 work session. He said the bulk rate could be accomplished a lot of different ways. There could be a base up to 6.5 million gallons at $4.23 per thousand gallons and water usage over 6.5 million gallons could be broken out into four tiers.
The rate would decrease with the more water that was used.
Rizner said the benefit to the county would be a steady revenue amount that would include an increase of $32,000 over pre-increased rates.
The benefit to the city would be the guaranteed access to water up to 12.5 million gallons and a decreased charge of $38,000 from the increased rates.
“We tried to split the difference,” the administrator said.
Rizner said some of the questions for board members to decide was the term of the agreement and how future rate increases would be handled if the city’s usage went over 12.5 million gallons.
Gray’s Mayor Pro Tem James Collins attended the work session. He said the city and county have a symbiotic relationship, and the bulk water rate would erase concerns for both sides.
“The city improving and growing benefits all the county,” he said.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens asked if the agreement could allow the city to keep a fuller water tank.
Consulting engineer Tim Ingram said Morgan and Jones County Water Superintendent Brandon Stark work well together.
“They talk every day,” he said.
Ingram said the county’s capacity is limited, and it’s been fortunate not to have to purchase water from the Macon Water Authority.
Kitchens said the bulk water rate would not change that.
Ingram added that the county makes sure the city has the water it needs. He said the rate change would not affect the day-to-day operation.
Commissioner Daylon Martin said the city is an important partner, and the agreement makes sense for both.
He suggested a 10-year term for the bulk rate agreement.
Kitchens said he agreed with 10 years so it would not have to be renewed every five years.
“We have to talk about what is fair because the city is our biggest customer,” he said.
Commissioner Wendy Vaughn asked if it would be an agreement with the city or a contract.
Rizner said it would be an intergovernmental agreement.
Collins said he would share the information with city council members.
“It’s a good move for the city and county,” he said.
