OJRSA Restructures Committee After County Balks at Study Costs

Expressed surprise rippled through the Joint Regional Sewer Authority board after learning that Oconee County government declined to pay its $12,972 share for outside studies associated with the agency’s reconstitution process, prompting a board vote to move the county—represented by District Five Councilman Glenn Hart—and the town of West Union into non-voting roles on the Ad Hoc Reconstitution Committee.

County Administrator Stewart Jones indicated he is not in a position to approve the funding request, contrasting with previous commitments to share study costs for evaluating utility assets, while JRSA executive director Chris Eleazer and commissioners like Westminster’s Scott Parris noted the decision upends years of cooperative participation.

Ad Hoc Reconstitution Committee Chairman Kevin Bronson outlined the history of the financial analyses and prior county commitments during the discussion.