The Gilmer Board of Commissioners turned over the sewer line project to the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water Authority Thursday.
In a Special Called Meeting on May 27,2015, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners approved and signed an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water Authority to oversee and control the project of putting in a sewer line for the Gilmer County Detention Center.

With the two current septic tanks constantly failing,having to switch back and forth between the tanks as they fix the other, Charlie Paris said this is not adequate for the Detention Center. While they could put in a third septic system, Charlie Paris stated,

“The line is absolutely necessary.”

The tanks must be replaced before they create an environmental problem.

This project, at the time of signing, was budgeted at $1,646,930.70 as the initial deposit. However, in the contract is stated, “The County shall pay the Authority all costs and expenses incurred in performing those functions which the County has requested the Authority to perform.” On the other side of that coin is a statement entitling the county to any proceeds and grants in excess of the actual cost.

The Commissioners stated they will be searching for grants and funding to aid in the building of the line. They already have grants in mind they will be looking into including the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) which offers a grant in the form of principal forgiveness. This could possibly save around $300,000.

When Post Commissioner Dallas Miller expressed concerns about the project, once started, going vastly over-budget, Gary McVey, Director of the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water Authority, assured him his philosophy was “On-time and Under-budget.”

He also stated the Authority would be providing, at least, monthly reports to the Board to keep them appraised of the progress, even saying that he wanted to sit down with the Commissioners if any major issue should arise so they could consult with the Authority.

The plan for the current pipeline includes a gravity fed line traveling down Highway 52 until it hits a pump station just before Owltown Creek. From there it will be pumped through a force main to the tie-in point with the current line. The overall length will be just over 12,000 ft, over 2 miles.

According to the planned schedule presented at the meeting, the next few months will be spent setting plans and compliance with the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) for the project. This includes a public hearing with a 30 day advertisement period.

If everything proceeds according to schedule and plan, the Authority will start advertising the project at the beginning of December, then receive and review these bids in early January. This means we could see the authority break ground on this project as early as February 2016.