Franklin BOC Approves I-85 Sewer Bond Resolution

The Franklin County Commission has approved a bond issue resolution to secure funding for the I-85 sewer expansion project.

Franklin County has received approval from the USDA for $3.5 million loan/grant package for the project.

At their work session last week, Franklin County manager John Phillips said everything is in place to receive those funds, but for one document.

“Our attorney at the time had concerns that this document would tie us to those funds, regardless of whether the project would move forward or not,” Phillips said. “Since that time, he has said he is satisfied that if the project did not move forward we would not have to borrow the money.”

At issue is whether Franklin County would be stuck having to pay back the loan part of the USDA package even if the I-85 corridor project did not go through.  But at their August meeting Monday evening, county attorney Bubba Samuels said that would not be the case.

Still Commissioner Jeff Jacques said he had concerns about the loan agreement.

“It looks like there has to be a project framework between the county and the city of Carnesville since there is a joint venture,” Jacques said. “Does this tie our hands for the financing, repayment, etc. I don’t have problem with approving the resolution tonight. I just want to make sure we still have the latitude to assemble a mutually beneficial project  framework agreement with the city so everybody knows and fully understands the costs, the cost-sharing, etc.”

“As I said earlier, all of the action to be taken with regard to the loan is new De Novo action by the board,” Samuels said. “That said, we’re binding ourselves to do anything affirmatively by passage of this resolution.”

The new sewer line will extend along I-85 from the 160 Exit at SR51 to the 166 Exit at SR106 and is expected to attract new industry into Franklin County.

Plans involve two new lift stations as well as a totally new wastewater treatment plant that will be built in the City of Carnesville.  The total estimated cost of the sewer line/wastewater treatment project is $6.3 million.

The City of  Carnesville has committed $200,000, and the Franklin County Industrial Building Authority has agreed to contribute $500,000 to the project.