Carl Vinson Institute Speaks About Consolidation

Representatives from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia are present at the Clayton Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority’s meeting to discuss the Systems Consolidation Study.

One concern from the city of Clayton, which Mayor David Phillips spoke about soon after the study was released, is in regards to some of the figures listed in the study and whether or not the city of Clayton’s most recent audit shows they are operating the water and sewer system at a loss.

At the meeting, both City Manager Cissy Henry and Councilwoman Debbie Chisolm voiced these concerns, and Ted Baggett with the Carl Vinson Institute explained why the figures showed in the consolidation study how they did.

“What were doing is looking beyond the water and sewer analysis in the audit to make sure were covering all of the potential depreciation and debt payment costs because if there was a unified service, those are costs that need to be considered when thinking about rates and other costs.”

The Water and Sewer authority also discussed appointments for 2013, with Sam Beck being elected chair.