The regional pump station would support not only the construction of the new school, but also future development in the area, according to public works director Terry Darragh.
Darragh said the project would involve 13,900 feet of line work and associated construction at a cost of $1.7 million.
Darragh presented a draft proposal to the Board which will be used as the starting point for negotiations with the school system.
Under the terms of the draft proposal, Barrow County would obtain a 20-year loan to finance the project. Barrow County Schools would make the loan payments for the first three years and the county would be responsible for the remainder.
District 3 commissioner Bill Healan expressed concern that the county was not in a position to provide assurances to the school system regarding sewer construction when there was no money in the budget to fund the project.
“It is my understanding that they’re prepared to go forward in a pretty rapid manner,” Healan said. “The funds have been approved and they’re ready to start construction. We don’t have the money to pay for [the project].”
Healan said the county would be expected to pay for other unfunded infrastructure improvements as well.
“The sewer is only a small part of what we have to go forward with to make that school operational,” he said. “We’ve got a ton of road work to do that we don’t have the money for. I think giving the school board a false sense of information that we’re ready to go forward when we can’t pay for it is a dangerous thing to do.”
Commission chairman Doug Garrison said the board of education understands the project is contingent on the county obtaining financing.
“We have discussed that with them. They are fully aware that we don’t have the funding for the road projects – that will come later,” he said.
In other business, the Board:
• approved an amended to the Sheriff’s budget to allow the department to accept a $34,400 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance grant for the purchase of three thermal imaging devices.
• approved an amendment to the Barrow County employee handbook which will provide temporary pay increases to employees assigned to work at a higher grade for a period greater than 30 days.
• approved the creation of a new position within the fire department which will combine the responsibilities of the training officer and EMS division chief. The new position will be titled chief of education and safety for the fire and emergency services department.
• approved the purchase of software for the fire department which will allow fire reporting, staff activities, training, and other fire-related functions to be networked and centrally managed. The software will cost $12,300 and is currently used by over 14,000 fire departments nationwide.
• approved the appointment of Harry Hauck to the Keep Barrow Beautiful board.
