The city of Guyton received “a little over $500,000 in tap fees” for Crossgate Subdivision, according to Phillip King’s committee report on water and sewer during Tuesday’s council meeting.
He stated that $200,000 would be applied toward the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority fund, a fund set aside to pay for the $13.35 million loan for the proposed 500,000 gallons per day wastewater treatment plant.
The remaining $300,000 would be used to purchase another 25,000 gallons from Springfield, “leaving us approximately $94,000 in the fund” to be used for necessary sewer projects.
Crossgate Subdivision is one of the six subdivisions that Hofstadter and Associates referenced as “developments under construction”in the design development report submitted in June to the Environmental Protection Division.
Jimmie Reynolds, the original developer, approached city council with his attorney Raymond Dickey back in July 2007 about getting final approval of the 129-lot subdivision located on Highway 119 South. However, Guyton was under an EPD consent order that prohibited them from issuing any more water or sewer taps without EPD approval.
Once Reynolds submitted the required “as-built” plans to EPD and received their go-ahead, planning and zoning approved the final subdivision plans.
According to the Aug. 14, 2007, council minutes, “Mr. Reynolds attorney dismissed his lawsuit against the city.”
Reynolds sold the 50 acres to LES Development in July for $2.1 million.
Both King and Mayor Michael Garvin have said that water and sewer tap fees for new development will pay for the GEFA loan.
Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council members discussed the use of purple pipe and the potential of reuse water irrigation. Garvin said they intend to put together a package of information for the public and allow the public an opportunity to give comments.
King also announced that they were still in talks with Springfield.
“The city has not given up on the idea of (its) own sewer system yet, but we’re still looking at alternatives,” King said.
He said there has not been any ongoing communication between the county and Guyton about tying in with the Effingham County plant.
