Communication and Concerns: The Impact of Sewer Expansion on Oconee’s Agriculture Community

The Joint Regional Sewer Authority (JRSA) commissioners, including Brian Ramey, are seeking improved communication about the county government’s plans for a $25 million bond issue, particularly how the sewer spending portion will impact their service obligations…

The priority is to expand the sewer system to the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative property, which is planned to be an industrial park near the I-85 exit 4 area. However, the JRSA board feels there is a lack of communication with the county council. The council has not yet decided how and where to apply the proceeds from the bond sale. There are concerns from the southern Oconee’s agriculture community who view the piped sewer as a threat to their livelihoods. Farmer Tim Donald expressed that the county is trying to attract economic development to an area that already has an industry: agriculture…

The commissioners had a discussion about the legal considerations with their attorney Larry Brandt in accepting service requests, which would likely result from the county’s bond issue for sewer work.