The budgets for the water and wastewater departments were under discussion at a called meeting of the Lincolnton City Council held Monday, August 11.

In the first item of business, the council agreed to send a letter to Roby Seymour, director of the Lincoln County Water Department, and Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners, to inform them that the city plans to replace the meter on Petersburg Road, with the cost of the project going toward retiring the $32,000 the city inadvertently overbilled the county for water.

The city's intentions are to install a new 10-inch meter across the street from the James Allen Reed Water Treatment Plant to monitor what is solely a county water line that runs down Highway 378. The reason for the action is to ensure that the county is accurately billed for the water it purchases from the city.

"We can't afford to give anything away," said Mayor Dwaine Biggerstaff. "We have made several requests to Superintendent Seymour but have received no response."

In other business, the council discussed the fact that the city is underfunding the sewerage department.

"The sewerage department is killing us," said Mayor Biggerstaff. "We're losing money every month, without even taking into consideration the cost of repairs. In essence, we're jeopardizing the General Fund."

The city is currently in the process of determining the true cost of treating sewerage.

In further business, the council:

.. Was informed by Mayor Biggerstaff that there is the possibility that Governor Sonny Perdue will reduce homestead credits for Georgians.

"If we don't receive the money, we will have to find $12,000, which represents .66 mills of tax," said the mayor.

.. Heard the mayor ask the councilmen to determine what needs the city has for inclusion in a five-year plan, which is being developed by PinPoint Public Works GPS Data at the request of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA).

.. Voted to authorize Mayor Biggerstaff to enter into an agreement which will allow the Lincoln County Board of Education to build an access road to DOT specifications from Metasville Road to the end of the school property, where the new high school will be constructed. At the conclusion of the project, the city will accept and maintain the road.

.. Voted to hire Street Smarts out of Atlanta to conduct a traffic study on Highway 378 to ascertain what the state will require in the event the access road to the school is extended to connect Metasville Road with Highway 378. The study will cost $5,000.

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

The next regular meeting of the mayor and council will be held Monday, September 8, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.