Echols County assumes water-system maintenance, sets $45 temporary bill

Chairman Kenneth Petty told the Echols County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 4, 2025, that the county is taking over responsibility for the local water system and that Bill Rodgers will assume maintenance duties. Petty said the county will bill a flat rate of $45.00 for the current month while county staff continue efforts to locate all water meters.

The announcement followed opening business at the board’s meeting. The chair framed the measure as an interim step while operational details — including meter locations and customer accounting — are finalized. Petty directed staff to proceed with locating meters and implementing the temporary billing arrangement.

Tyler Carter asked whether lawn-care procurement would be handled by sealed bids; the board said it will issue an addendum requiring lawn-care bids to be mailed or dropped off at the Echols County Board of Commissioners office as sealed bids and that the bid deadline will be extended. The board did not provide a timeline for when the water-meter inventory will be completed.

No formal ordinance or rate schedule was presented at the meeting; the board’s action was an administrative announcement. The board did not record a public hearing or an adopted tariff at the meeting. Next steps listed by commissioners included locating meters, finalizing billing procedures and informing affected customers.