Laurens Commission of Public Works

The board meeting included a divisional report covering utility maintenance, sewer repairs, and infrastructure projects, as well as an update on FEMA grants and the development of cybersecurity and AI policies. Additionally, the auditor presented the 2025 financial audit, highlighting a clean opinion, strong liquidity, a net position increase, and significant capital additions funded without incurring new debt.

The meeting included reports on administrative, electric, natural gas, and water and sewer division activities. Key topics discussed were compliance with South Carolina 811 laws, status updates on the Dean Drive water tank project, electrical equipment maintenance, and ongoing natural gas line replacements. Additionally, the board approved a new vendor verification and payment security policy to mitigate cyber fraud risks, and received a presentation on the Bridging the Gap program, which provides academic and agricultural support for youth and senior citizens.

Discussions included administrative updates such as the successful inspection of the alcohol and drug plan and ongoing review of employee handbooks. Engineering reported on updating attachment agreements with other utilities, signing an agreement with PRTC to proceed with the fiber project, and a line extension study being conducted by Utility Financial Solutions. The Electric Division reported on transformer installation at the Hunter Industrial Park and the awarding of the bid for electrical work there, which has a 90-day timeline with a November 1st deadline. They also addressed the high cost associated with two requested large transformers for a new account. A contractor was awarded the bid for tree trimming services, funded partially by an electric grant. In the Natural Gas Division, Laurens CPW received a national safety award from APGA. The Water and Sewer Department reported satisfactory ratings for the water distribution system and an AWOP Excellence award for the water plant. Bids for the new Dean Drive water tank project were scheduled to open shortly. Financial reports for June showed an overall net gain for the year to date of $813,000, despite losses in Water and Sewer departments for the month; the electric division's current performance is better than the previous year when large grants were received. Cash flow is struggling due to capital expenditures like work at Hunter Park, prompting a request to move funds from the Reserve fund. An update was provided on the rate increase effective August 1st for water and electric services. Furthermore, a representative requested an increase in annual sponsorship for the annual Christmas in the City golf tournament from $3,000 to $4,000 to cover increased operating costs, which was subsequently approved by motion.

The regular scheduled April meeting commenced with an opening prayer. Key agenda items included the approval of the February meeting minutes, as there was no March meeting. Divisional reports for February and March covered the renewal of an essay competition in partnership with Pont Municipal Power Agency, with the winner announced. Financial statements for January and February were reviewed, noting specific comparisons to the previous year, particularly regarding gas expenses and overall budget performance, requiring a reallocation discussion for natural gas purchases in February. The Commission then reviewed the annual audit report, which resulted in an unmodified (clean) opinion with minimal journal entries and no findings regarding internal control processes. A five-year trend analysis of financial data was presented, highlighting impacts of inflation and natural gas sales on revenue and margins. Finally, a public forum segment was held regarding the Pine Haven Townhome Development project, where the developer discussed project details, including design accommodations made after consulting with the Mayor and City Council concerning garage placement, and requested assistance regarding new policy on developer responsibility for utility costs.

The meeting commenced with divisional reports detailing ongoing work in Electric, Natural Gas, and Water and Sewer departments. Electric division updates included tree trimming progress and replacement of current transformers. Natural Gas reported on new taps, meter replacements, and leak repairs. The Water and Sewer division detailed repairs on piping due to root intrusion and drainage work, as well as installing a new tap for an industrial park building. The public forum session involved a citizen addressing billing discrepancies related to a former account holder, which required extensive investigation and eventual resolution. The financial report review indicated the organization barely broke even in September, with detailed analysis of divisional profits/losses and capital asset budgets showing a favorable year-to-date standing relative to budget, largely due to natural gas purchase budgeting. A primary discussion point involved recommending revisions to the language in the large service electric work rates to clearly define cost recovery mechanisms for expensive, pre-installed transformers for speculative industrial buildings, ensuring the utility recoups investment costs.