Lynn M. Stephens

Key discussions included the proclamation and recognition of Water Professionals Day as designated by the South Carolina General Assembly. The agenda featured action items related to the ongoing reconstitution process, specifically the approval for the Executive Director to execute agreements with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. and First Tryon Advisors, LLC for system valuation and financial evaluation services, and the consideration of cost-sharing funding for these services. Director updates covered environmental and regulatory compliance matters and an update on the peracetic acid disinfection system.

The meeting included a discussion and update regarding the Town of West Union's support resolution and rate/valuation study concerns, specifically addressing the town's questions on board membership and compensation for the sewer system transfer. Oconee County provided an update on their support resolution. A discussion was held regarding the amendment to the Joint Authority Water and Sewer Systems Act, noting no changes in language and outreach to Senator Alexander's office. The committee discussed establishing a communication plan, managed by the consulting group, to provide consistent information to elected officials via memorandum, agreeing on a five-day review period before public distribution. Updates were provided on financial studies, including engaging Raftelis for the Financial Feasibility Study and First Tryon for the Collection Systems Rate Study, with costs to be finalized in January. Furthermore, the committee discussed revisiting the meeting schedule and addressing long-term commitment from Oconee County and Wholesale Agreement options for the January meeting.

The meeting agenda included receiving Quarterly Progress Report No. 2 for the South Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority, OJRSA Board, and Oconee County, an update on legislative amendments, and a review and discussion of financial study proposals from Raftelis and First Tryon. Key action items involved considering a long-term commitment from Oconee County regarding growth areas and consolidation, discussing wholesale agreement options, and establishing dates for facilitators to meet with municipal and county administration. The committee also allowed for general discussion on matters for future consideration.

The Commission meeting involved several key organizational actions for the 2026/2027 term, including the re-election of the Board Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary/Treasurer. The existing Committee Chairs for the Finance & Administration (F&A) Committee and Operations & Planning (O&P) Committee were retained. Discussions included reviewing and developing the Board's goals for 2026, noting that goals related to governance and capital improvement projects are dependent on future system reconstitution outcomes. Financial reports for November and Year-to-Date were approved. The Board authorized the Executive Director to negotiate Indefinite Delivery Contracts with Weston & Sampson and Ardurra Engineering Firms for Project #2026-03. Compliance matters addressed the waiting period for laboratory certification for a new disinfection process, progress on the Seneca Creek Pump Station Force Main replacement, and updates on a Tractor Supply Company line extension. Furthermore, the Executive Director reported significant employee turnover in 2025 and discussed potential strategies, such as a compensation study and changes to insurance contribution methods, to improve recruitment and retention.

The Annual Members' Meeting included the Executive Director's annual update, covering key operational areas. In compliance, the Authority reported zero lost-time accidents in 2025, receipt of a second 'Gleaming Star' award from OSHA, and ten sanitary sewer overflows totaling approximately 198,410 gallons. The new NPDES permit requires monitoring for aluminum and mercury, and the transition to peracetic acid (PAA) disinfection is underway. Significant progress continues on the 2021 Consent Order requirements, funded in part by nearly $10,000,000 in grant money for sewer line rehabilitation. The update also addressed current flow capacity relative to maximum capacity, the base plus volumetric user rate structure implemented three years ago, documentation of sewer availability inquiries for growth tracking, and changes in impact fee calculations. Furthermore, the completion of the 20-Year Sewer Master Plan (mid-2024) and the status of the I-85 Sewer Phase II and Phase III projects were reviewed. The Authority is also in the process of reorganizing or restructuring to become a Regional Sewer Provider, with five recommendations being considered by the Reconstitution and Executive Committee.