The Lincolnton City Council approved the final draft of an agreement with Lincoln County calling for the city to accept sewage from 140 customers in the Blackjack Community.

The action was taken at the regular meeting of the mayor and council held Tuesday, September 5.

According to the 20-year agreement, the city will accept 45,000 gallons of sewage per day from the Blackjack Community. In return, it will charge the county an infrastructure or impact fee of $1.20 per 1,000 gallons of sewage discharged to the city and a treatment fee of $1.27 per 1,000 gallons. The fee will be adjusted annually in accordance with the Construction Cost Index or the actual per gallon construction cost experienced by the city.

In order to get the sewage from the Blackjack Community to the city's wastewater treatment plant on Old Petersburg Road, the county will have to install about eight miles of sewer lines using a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and a $2.5 million loan from USDARural Development (RD).

In his comments, Barry Fleming, city attorney, stated that he feels very good about the contract. "The two concerns I had about the proposal were addressed in the sales agreement. The first dealt with capacity."

He pointed out that there are three fail safes in the contract that serve to give the city control over capacity:

(1) The number of customers that will be allowed to tap onto the system is limited to 140.

(2) The amount of sewage the city will treat for the county is limited to 45,000 gallons per day.

(3) No one will be allowed to tap onto the sewer system without permission from the city council.

The second area of concern for Fleming was liability. "In the contract, almost all liability and responsibility for the Black Jack sewer line has been shifted to the county - the county really stepped up to the table with this," he stated.

A copy of the signed contract will now be forwarded to the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners for its approval.

The project is expected to reach completion in three years.

In other business, the council heard a report on the city's FY 2005 audit, conducted by CPA Steve Albertson.

In his remarks, Albertson said, "This marks the city's second audit under the new financial model adopted by the state. In the first audit, we brought in all of the infrastructure and valued it out. Now, we're right on track. In fact, we're ahead of some municipalities and counties in this regard."

In other comments, he said, "There were no problems or findings in the audit. Everything looks good. The city is still really strong financially and has good reserves."

Albertson further noted that the city has almost $1.3 million worth of roads and $206,000 worth of sidewalks. The land underneath the roads and sidewalks is valued separately.

"By adding the infrastructure to the city's financial statement and placing it on a depreciation schedule, we can show how the city is using up its infrastructure every year," the CPA explained.

In further business, the council:

Heard the Water Department Report given by Superintendent Stanley Parton, who noted that with plenty of showers during the month of August, water production dropped from 17.2 mg (million gallons) in July to 14.9 mg in August.

Agreed to refer a possible pine beetle problem at the water plant to Councilman Henry Brown, who works in the logging industry.

Was informed by Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff that a used four-ton airconditioning unit, purchased for $800, is currently being installed at the Lincolnton Clubhouse. The city hopes to put the clubhouse back into service in the near future.

Voted to amend the Zoning Ordinance to state that "a majority of members shall constitute a quorum." This will make it possible for the zoning board to conduct business with four members in attendance instead of five.

Agreed to vote on fees for preliminary and final plat approval for subdivisions at a called meeting set for Monday, September 18, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. The proposed fee schedule is as follows:

Preliminary plat approval - $20 per lot. For subdivisions with less than 15 lots, there will be minimum charge of $300.

Final plat approval - $300.

Voted to make a few non-substantive changes to the city's Soil, Erosion, and Sedimentation Control Ordinance at the request of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Voted to proceed with annexing approximately 136 acres, belonging to Douglas T. Dean of Trillium Capital Investments, LLC, into the city. The property is located on the Augusta Highway, just past the Dollar General Store, and adjoins lots on Sunrise Drive.

Granted permission for the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce to close Main Street and a portion of Peachtree Street from 12 until 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, for the annual Holidays in Olde Lincoln Towne Festival.

Discussed the purchase of computer and video equipment to be used by the mayor and council, city court officials, the zoning board, and the police department. The purchase will be funded in part by the OneGeorgia Authority.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the council directed Mayor Biggerstaff and Police Chief Jim Justice to obtain price estimates on the equipment.

Authorized Chief Justice to check with CSRA Probation Services, Inc. regarding the cost of providing the city with an indigent defense attorney when the need arises.

"We are required by law to have an indigent defense program," said Chief Justice. "Even if an individual with a seat belt offense wants an attorney, we have to provide him with one."

Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that H & H Industrial Maintenance, Inc. will soon be placing a new grate on the drain in front of Paul Flanigan's house on Sunrise Drive for inspection by council members and area homeowners.

Was informed by City Clerk Kay Remsen that the needed corrections have been made to the engraved pavers in front of City Hall.

She went on to say that the Lincoln County Historical Society is planning to sell additional pavers in the near future.

Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that he hopes to present the group with a copy of the city's tentative budget at its called meeting on September 18.

Voted to enter into executive session to discuss personnel issues. Upon returning to regular session, no action was taken.

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, October 2, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.