Lowndes County commissioners approve Spring Creek water project, pump repair, right-of-way purchase and set 2026 assessment rate

Lowndes County commissioners approved a package of routine infrastructure and financing actions at a regular meeting. The board authorized a design-build agreement for upgrades to the Spring Creek water treatment site, approved a repair for a lift-station pump, authorized sale of surplus water meter components, completed a right-of-way purchase for the Twin Lakes Road project, and set the county's 2026 special assessment interest rate at 8.75%.

The Spring Creek project was presented by Mister Stout, who said the North Lowndes Water System had received a consent order from Georgia EPD for continued disinfection byproduct violations and staff recommended upgrading the Spring Creek treatment site. Stout told commissioners that only one proposal was received, from Reynolds Construction LLC, and that the preliminary phase price was $214,412. "Staff recommends approval and authorize the chairman to sign the attached agreement with Reynolds Construction of Georgia LLC," Stout said. Commissioners voted to approve the agreement.

On the Peterson Road lift station, Stout said Pump 1 began running high amps and Xylem's diagnostics showed repair would cost $24,400 while a new pump would cost more than $76,000. "Staff recommends approval for the pump to be repaired for $24,400," Stout said. The commission approved the repair.

The commission also approved a resolution allowing the utilities department to sell brass components from replaced water meters. Stout estimated the county has "about 8,000" of these components available for sale and recommended authorizing the chairman to sign the resolution; the motion carried.

For the Twin Lakes Road project, Mr. McLeod said staff had negotiated a right-of-way with owners of Tax Parcel 0171090 (Parcel 3) covering certain feasible right-of-way totalling approximately 0.15 acres (0.07 acres inside). He named the owners as Virginia T. Tyson, Charles F. Poppy and Nancy Poppy and said all three had signed the agreement. Commissioners voted to approve the purchase and authorized the chairman to execute on behalf of the county. After the purchase was approved, the board voted to render a previously filed condemnation of the same right-of-way moot.

Finance staff presented a housekeeping item on special assessments. Miss Black explained that if assessments for paving or utilities are not paid within an initial 90-day period, they convert into installment agreements that may be repaid over up to 10 years at the interest rate set for the year the assessment is done. "The rate is based on the current prime rate plus 2%. Currently, prime is 6.75%. So the interest rate on any assessments done this year would be 8.75," Miss Black said. The commission adopted the 8.75% rate for 2026.

In a separate motion, commissioners approved the solicitor general's BAWA continuation grant application as presented during the work session; no additional details were discussed at the meeting.

Votes at a glance: the board unanimously approved the minutes for the prior sessions; authorized the Spring Creek design-build agreement with Reynolds Construction LLC; approved the Peterson Road pump repair ($24,400); approved the resolution to sell surplus water meter brass components (estimated ~8,000 pieces); authorized the Twin Lakes Road Parcel 3 right-of-way purchase (approximately 0.15 acres total, 0.07 acres inside); declared the condemnation item moot following the purchase; adopted the 2026 special assessment interest rate of 8.75%; and approved the solicitor general's BAWA continuation grant application.

The meeting continued with manager and public reports before a motion to adjourn was made.