Madison County board endorses five RSA priorities, directs staff to draft EDU policy

The Madison County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 13 endorsed five priorities to guide the Regional Service Authority (RSA) as it plans allocation of services for the new wastewater treatment plant and related infrastructure.

Board members and staff discussed establishing a clear service‑area map, creating an EDU (equivalent dwelling unit) management policy with a sunset provision to prevent warehousing of capacity, developing reserve policies that prevent all capacity from being tied to residential use, coordinating a capital improvements program (CIP), and ensuring RSA policies and procedures are documented and aligned with county planning. Alan Nichols, the county’s planning and zoning administrator, said the priorities aim to align RSA service areas with the county comprehensive plan and to clarify who will pay for hydraulic modeling and other engineering work.

Pete, an RSA representative, and other RSA board members described operational constraints, including roughly 95 currently unused EDUs and limits imposed by existing mains and water supply. Pete said RSA is considering sale and re‑purchase mechanisms so owners can temporarily make EDUs available to developers while preserving their long‑term rights. County staff and board members urged an EDU management approach that balances development needs and fairness for ratepayers.

After discussion, a member moved and the board voted by voice to adopt the five priorities in principle as Madison County’s guidance to RSA. The board directed staff to work with RSA and the county attorney on specific ordinance language and to schedule related public hearings and follow‑up briefings. The motion carried by voice vote.