In recent days, I have seen Facebook posts, Ridgeview News reader feedback, and articles in the Calhoun Chronicle regarding the ongoing consolidation of the Town of Grantsville, Mount Zion, and Pleasant Hill Public Service Districts into one entity that will provide water to residents of Calhoun County. From this information, it is apparent to me that there is significant confusion about this process. From the perspective of a former County Commissioner involved in these efforts, I will attempt to clarify the confusion.
A. The topic of water consolidation is not something new. It has been explored in the past, but because of insufficientfunds to launch the startup, some preliminary plans were developed but not followed through on.
B. During the Covid Pandemic, the County Commission was awarded $ 1.2 million to use as needed for a myriad of purposes for the duration of the pandemic. The Commission at that time deemed securing high-speed internet in the county to be the top priority for the funds and voted to allocate the entire amount to that purpose. Because of untimely planning at the state and federal levels, it became apparent that the deadline for committing these funds to an actual project would not be met before having to return the entire amount to the federal government.
C. The Commission that I served on then began discussions on how best to commit the funds prior to the deadline of losing them. Those discussions led us to the conclusion that no need was more important in Calhoun County than providing water to our citizens. Since some groundwork had been laid for water consolidation in the past, discussions to revive that effort, involving the Boards of Pleasant Hill and Mt. Zion, and the Mayor and Town Council of Grantsville, began in earnest.
D. The County Commission informed the three entities that it was prepared to allocate the major portion of the 1.2 million dollars as start-up funds for the eventual official consolidation into one entity. In the meantime, working together as one by signing an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Agreement would be the starting point. The offer was met with enthusiasm by the folks at the meeting.
E. It is vitally important for everyone to understand that funds being allocated for the project must be used to purchase vehicles, equipment, spare parts inventory, large, costly replacement pumps, and other expensive equipment, a building to house the combined agency, and funds to finance the first year’s salary and benefits of an Operations Manager.
F. The mechanism for the Commission to use in granting funds to these three entities is spelled out in federal legislation (AARPA). Since the original $1.2 million grant was awarded to the County Commission, it was necessary to issue sub-grant awards to the Town, PHPSD, and MZPSD. In a prior meeting, the committee discussed and agreed on how the funds would be allocated to each entity for specific expenditures.
G. Each of the sub-grantee agreements included the specific expenditures for which they were to use the funds. All expenditures of funds would be allocated to the consolidated O&M entity. None of these funds was to be used for any purpose other than what was listed in each sub-grant. It should also be noted that all equipment and supplies purchased with these funds do not belong to a specific location (i.e., Town, MZPSD, or PHPSD), but rather to the consolidated unit. These sub-grantees’ applications for funds, as noted in the documents approved by their governing bodies, were subsequently approved unanimously by the County Commission. Each district and the Town were to provide monthly updates on their grant expenditures.
H. It is vitally important to note that each of these three sub-grants included the funds awarded, and for what purpose, including the salary and benefits for the Operations Manager. Each grant application was approved by the PSDs and the Town of Grantsville Council as submitted. The County Commission unanimously approved each of these applications. In my opinion, the PSDs and the Town are obligated to spend the funds as agreed in their sub-grant applications.
I. Documents alluded to in this chronology should be available at the County Commission, the town of Grantsville, Pleasant Hill PSD, and Mt. Zion PSD.
Thanks for clarifying Roger. I was not aware that the board had looked at an O&M in the past. I vividly remember Mayor Bob sketching out the basis of what came into being then Craig Arthur coming in a bit later. Then, as things progressed the entire commission got involved and because, if memory serves, if the commission was not able to allocate that money quickly, they would lose it. So Ari White was given the task to divide the money as evenly as he could among the 3 water boards. Then I quit following the progression from there. Correct me if I am missing something. My only question is, as I understand it, Grantsville would pay the managers salary and Pleasant Hill would pay his benefits. Would that be a permanent obligation? If the managers salary is $80,000 a year and benefits are I heard between $20,000 and $40,00 per year ( again these are numbers being tossed around, you can give the exact numbers) and there is only the one grant, what is in place for those 2 entities to fund that salary for the long haul? There is also the question of the council members of Grantsville voting to hire a manager, and some confusion on that. Having the minutes made available confirming that vote would out that to rest . Lots of us still are not sure what a manager will do that the city already does not. It would relieve the city of the overall day to day management – I guess,it comes down to where and how much you want to spend. I will say though that because the commissioners at the time acted quickly and we’re able to acquire the money before it was lost. Thanks again for clarification . Firsthand knowledge stops misinformation and rumors.
To Roger:
What alternatives to full consolidation were formally considered, and where is that documented?
To Michael:
After the grant ends, what is the approved long term funding plan for the manager position?
Hi Roxane- That is a question several have posed. Roger explained his understanding a couple of comments below. Which makes sense. My understanding, as told to me by a water board member, is that with the expertise of the new manager, his ability to to not only fix leaks but with an aggressive preventive maintenance plan that those savings would pay for his salary. The addition of equipment and supplies that the city always scrambled to get is a tremendous help. If the manager does not make the savings to pay his salary, ( $90,000 plus full benefits last I heard- but let those who authored the agreement verify the terms.) then the three entities would be required to split it, as again, Roger mentioned below. If not, then is seems that in a worst case scenario the Town of Grantsville would be ultimately responsible- If it came down to that, then I am certain the County Commission would step in with some funding as they have in the past. With so many people who do not have water or internet, and only a small, rural population, we need to be careful how the little money we have is spent- If the numbers being tossed about is correct, Between the O&M manager and the new County manager- their yearly salaries and benefits package is somewhere above $170,00.000 per year. I had someone tell me we have to spend money to make money. I worked for several years at a lab that was government funded. One thing that was common knowledge-The politicians in D.C do not care about how much something costs- because it is not their money they are spending- Hopefully the upcoming audits will show that the money spent is getting peoples needs met-and solving long term problems.
Unless a more specific answer is brought forth this sounds pretty much like all the other utilities we have… with no Federal or State funding money the burden of paying a general manger a huge salary and benefit package with perks down the road would fall upon the customers once again. How many times in our lives have we seen that happen?
Consolidation was always considered to be the Town of Grantsville, Mount Zion Public Service District and Pleasant Hill Public Service District. I know of no other consolidation plans. Also, the funding for the Manager position was the first year only. After the first year, the wages and benefits would be funded by the O&M combined three entities. Considering that the County Commission allocated over a million dollars for the startup that purchased new vehicles, supply inventories, a new building to house the new combined unit, and stockpiles of pipe, spare parts, etc., the new entity would begin operations with all the supplies necessary for operation. With the new 60% increase in water rates recently approved by the WV Public Service Commission, the Consolidation Committee felt sufficient funds would be available to pay future years of salary and benefits of the Operations Manager.