Commissioners agree to endorse Big Canoe Water Authority

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – The Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to endorse a draft resolution requested by the Big Canoe Property Owners Association to support the creation of a Big Canoe Water Authority. The resolution must be presented to state lawmakers during the 2018 General Assembly for final approval.

The current owner has announced its intention to sell the system. Phil Anderson, president of the property owners association, told commissioners during the December work session, it is in the long-term interest of Big Canoe residents for those assets to be acquired by a public water and sewer authority that would be eligible for grants and loans and have the ability to issue tax-free revenue bonds. The existing water distribution system is old and in need of major capital improvements.

In November, commissioners approved the purchase of a new fire engine from Ten 8 Fire and Emergency Services at a cost of $449,442. The board also approved a BB&T bid to finance the transaction at a rate of 2.44 percent for seven years. However, BB&T announced it could no longer honor that rate and withdrew its bid. When the project went out for bids again, BB&T was again the most competitive bidder, but this time at a rate of 2.91 percent with annual payments of $71,893.81 and a total interest amount of $53,814.67. Commissioners unanimously approved the latest BB&T bid.

During the 2017 General Assembly, the state legislature passed a regulation requiring counties to provide certain cancer benefits to county firefighters. Thursday, commissioners approved the purchase of a Lump Sum Cancer and Long-Term Disability policy for firefighters to comply with the state requirement. The policy was awarded to ACCG –IRMA through The Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company at a cost of $18,497.

Commissioners tabled a decision on the Impact Fee Methodology Report. The request to rezone 2.04 acres along Kilough Church Road for a proposed classic car sales and warehouse business was withdrawn.

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