Commission Minutes – May 13, 2014

For your consideration, please review the minutes for the Commission Meeting from May 13, 2014:

BGJWSC_Commission_Minutes_May_13,_2014

To read the minutes, please open or download the pdf from the link above or you may see more below:

PRESENT: Dale Provenzano, Chairman
Thomas A. Boland, Commissioner
John A. Cason, III, City Commissioner
Donald M. Elliott, Commissioner
David H. Ford, Commissioner
Ronald E. Perry, Commissioner

ABSENT: Sandra J. Dean, Commissioner

ALSO PRESENT: Stephen A. Swan, Executive Director
John D. Donaghy, Director of Administration
Desiree E. Watson, JWSC Attorney
Barbara Rogers, JWSC Acting Clerk

Chairman Provenzano called the meeting to order and provided the invocation. Commissioner Cason led the pledge.
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

There being no citizen that wished to address the Commission, Chairman Provenzano closed the Public Comment Period.

APPROVAL:

1. Minutes of the May 1, 2014 regular meeting and the May 1, 2014 executive session, (subject to any necessary changes).

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cason to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2014 regular meeting. Motion carried 5-0-0. (Commissioner Boland not present for the vote.)
Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Cason to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2014 executive session. Motion carried 5-0-0. (Commissioner Boland not present for the vote.)
DISCUSSION

1. FY15 Budget

Mr. Donaghy distributed budget and rate materials. The budget and supporting rates were reviewed at a joint meeting of the Finance and Facilities Committees on April 29, 2014. The completion of an REU audit and the implementation of adjustments in the number of REU’s charged resulted in a reduction of monthly fixed fees to residential customers. Andy Burnham, Burton & Associates, presented a power point presentation of the comparison of 2014 and 2015 rates, the impact to the Brunswick and Glynn district customers, a comparison of JWSC rates to other communities and JWSC rates compared to state wide rates as complied by GEFA.

Commissioner Elliott stated the Commission needs to have a process in place for those businesses that want to appeal the REU computation.

Commissioner Elliott made a motion seconded by Commissioner Perry to accept the proposed rate structure to support the proposed budget and proceed with scheduling public hearings and begin customer notifications as scheduled and release the draft budget to the City and County. Motion carried 6-0-0.

After a short discussion, Chairman Provenzano stated the second JWSC meeting in June will be moved to June 26, 2014. The Saint Simons Island public hearing will be held on June 19, 2014 and the mainland public hearing will be held on June 26, 2014.

Commissioners agreed that tap fees would be a discussion item at the up-coming Commission Retreat and requested staff prepare an analysis on tap fees; how fees are computed by district, if the 50% reduction has had an impact, what type incentives are available to encourage customers to tap in to existing infrastructure, and fees collected by district.
EXECUTIVE SESSION

The JWSC members did not have any items to discuss in an Executive Session.
There being no further business to bring before the Commission, Chairman Provenzano adjourned the meeting.