Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA) public meetings in 2023
12 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will review a community communications plan regarding PFAS. The meeting also includes discussions on general counsel succession planning and a resolution honoring Donald Nolf.
- Approval of the PFAS Community Communications Plan
- Resolution Honoring the Service of Donald (Donnie) Nolf
- Discussion of General Counsel Succession Planning
- Update on Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will review a draft community communications plan regarding PFAS. The meeting also includes discussions on General Counsel succession planning and a review of the board work schedule.
- Draft PFAS Community Communications Plan discussion
- General Counsel succession planning discussion
- Financial report for the period ended September 30, 2023
- Review of Board work schedule
- Closed session regarding personnel matters
Board of Directors
The board will review the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and consider resolutions to apply for state funding for PFAS and Lead and Copper Rule Revisions projects. The agenda also includes a staff position reclassification and updates regarding the proposed Orange County Solid Waste and Recycling Center.
- Resolutions to apply for state funding for PFAS and Lead and Copper Rule Revisions projects
- Reclassification of one Utilities Engineer position to a Project Manager position
- Reappointment of Epting and Hackney as General Counsel
- Presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
- Resolution honoring the service of Julius (Johnny) Johnson
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will review a public petition concerning the location of an Orange County Waste Convenience Center on OWASA land. The meeting also includes reviews of financial reports, capital improvement updates, and material procurement packages. Additionally, the board will receive updates on diversity and equity programs.
- Public petition regarding siting of OC Waste Convenience Center on OWASA Land
- Formal material procurement for crew projects - Package 2
- Preliminary financial report for the period ended June 30, 2023
- Capital Improvements Program Semiannual Report
- Annual report on disposal of surplus personal property
Board of Directors
The provided agenda contains only procedural software placeholders and boilerplate text. There are no specific decisions, proposals, or discussion items listed.
Board of Directors
The Board unanimously adopted the 2022 Local Water Supply Plan and the Water Shortage Response Plan as approved by the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The Board also approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 annual budget and the Executive Director's key focus areas.
- Approved Local Water Supply Plan and Water Shortage Response Plan (unanimous)
- Approved Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Budget amendment (unanimous)
- Approved June 8, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved Executive Director Key Focus Areas for May 2023 to April 2024 (unanimous)
- Cancelled August 10, 2023 Board meeting
Board of Directors
The Board unanimously approved the annual budget for FY 2024, a five-year capital improvements program, and a new schedule of rates and fees. The Board also authorized the siting of an Orange County solid waste facility on OWASA land and elected new officers.
- Approved FY 2024 Annual Budget (unanimous)
- Approved Capital Improvements Program and Budget for FY 2024-2028 (unanimous)
- Approved Schedule of Rates, Fees, and Charges effective October 1, 2023 (unanimous)
- Approved draft conditions for siting Orange County Solid Waste Facility on OWASA land (unanimous)
- Approved FY 2024 Infrastructure Improvements Capital Project Resolution (unanimous)
- Approved updates to employee classification, compensation, and one new position (unanimous)
- Amended Bylaws Article X to replace standing committees with ad hoc committees (unanimous)
- Elected Bruce Boehm as Chair, Mel Kramer as Vice Chair (6-1), and Elmira Mangum as Secretary (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will hold concurrent public hearings regarding the preliminary annual operating and capital improvements budget, as well as proposed rates, fees, and charges. The board will also consider several resolutions related to grants, partnerships, and employee insurance.
- Public hearings on Preliminary Annual Operating and Capital Improvements Budget and Proposed Rates, Fees and Charges
- Purchase of Crew Projects Package 1 Water Line Pipe and Appurtenances
- Resolution to accept a grant from the State of North Carolina
- Amendment #2 to the Memorandum of Agreement for the Western Intake Partnership
- Contracts for Fiscal Year 2024 employee insurance plans
The Board approved a $400,000 American Rescue Plan grant for a Merger/Regionalization Feasibility study. They also extended a partnership agreement for the Western Intake project and approved employee insurance contracts. Public hearings were held regarding a proposed 9% rate increase for FY 2024.
- Approved $400,000 state grant for Merger/Regionalization Feasibility study (unanimous)
- Approved Amendment #2 to Western Intake Partnership agreement to extend duration to June 30, 2025 (unanimous)
- Approved employee health and dental insurance contracts with Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC and US Able (unanimous)
- Closed public hearings on FY 2024 budgets and proposed rates (unanimous)
- Approved April 13, 2023 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved April 13, 2023 closed session minutes (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors will discuss the draft Fiscal Year 2024 budget and authorize the publication of budget and rate information. The meeting includes decisions on a wastewater treatment plant construction contract and a state loan offer.
- Construction contract for Wastewater Treatment Plant Secondary Clarifier Number 4
- Low-interest loan offer from the State of North Carolina for Clarifier No. 4
- Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Budget and Rate Information
- Draft System Development Fee Study Report
- Update on Western Intake Partnership
The Board approved the publication of a proposed FY2024 budget featuring a 9% rate increase for monthly water and sewer services. The Board also awarded a $3.7M construction contract for a wastewater treatment plant clarifier and accepted a low-interest state loan.
- Approved $3,706,209.00 construction contract to Dellinger, Inc. for WWTP Secondary Clarifier No. 4 (Unanimous)
- Approved acceptance of a low-interest loan offer from the State of North Carolina (Unanimous)
- Authorized staff to publish FY2024 Proposed Budget and Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges including a 9% rate increase (Unanimous)
- Approved resolution honoring Roy Blackwood's 36 years of service (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes from March 9, 2023 meeting and closed session (Unanimous)
- Nominated Bruce Boehm for Chair, Pedro Garcia and Mel Kramer for Vice Chair, and Todd BenDor and Elmira Mangum for Secretary for FY2024
- Tabled decision on Board of Directors self-assessment
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is discussing the draft Fiscal Year 2024 budget and rate adjustments. The board is also scheduling public hearings for these financial items and reviewing the agency's strategic and energy management plans.
- Public hearing set for May 11, 2023, regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget
- Public hearing set for May 11, 2023, regarding proposed revisions to the Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges
- Discussion of Draft Fiscal Year 2024 Budget and Rate Adjustment
- Energy Management Plan Update
- Strategic Plan Update
The Board scheduled a public hearing for May 11, 2023, to discuss the Fiscal Year 2024 budget and proposed changes to rates, fees, and charges. The Board also approved meeting minutes from February 2023. No action was taken during the closed session regarding a personnel matter.
- Approved public hearing date of May 11, 2023 for FY 2024 Budget (unanimous)
- Approved public hearing date of May 11, 2023 for Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges revisions (unanimous)
- Approved February 9, 2023 Board of Directors meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved February 9, 2023 Closed Session minutes (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors is meeting to review financial reports and budget development for fiscal year 2024. The board will also consider updates to the affordability program and human resources policy.
- Operating Department Managers Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Development Presentation
- Financial Report for six month period ended December 31, 2022
- 2023 Affordability Program Update
- Approval of an update to the Human Resources Policy
- Capital Improvements Program Semiannual Report
The Board unanimously approved the reclassification of Crew Leader positions to Crew Supervisors with an updated salary range. The Board also adopted amendments to the Human Resources Policy regarding employee coverage, early hires for training, and sick leave. A strategic plan update was rescheduled for March 9, 2023.
- Approved retitling Crew Leader to Crew Supervisor and reclassifying to Grade 618 with salary range $57,853 - $89,092 (Unanimous)
- Approved adjustments to salaries for six Crew Supervisors effective February 13, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Approved amendments to Human Resources Policy regarding employee coverage, early hires for training, and sick leave (Unanimous)
- Approved removal of Spot Bonus from Section 13 of the Human Resources Policy (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes of January 12, 2023, Board meeting (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes of January 12, 2023, Closed Session (Unanimous)
- Rescheduled Strategic Plan Update to March 9, 2023
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors is meeting to discuss goals for a potential rate study and the budget calendar and assumptions for Fiscal Year 2024. The board will also consider updates to human resources policies and an audit firm contract.
- Discussion of goals and objectives for a potential rate study
- Review of Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Calendar and Assumptions
- Proposed Human Resources Policy update regarding Standby/On-Call Pay
- Approval of Audit Firm Contract
The Board unanimously approved a contract for financial auditing services and amended the Human Resources Policy regarding standby pay. The Board also discussed goals for a potential rate study and the FY 2024 budget calendar.
- Approved audit contract with Martin Starnes & Associates, CPAs, P.A. not to exceed $33,575 (Unanimous)
- Approved amendment to Human Resources Policy increasing on-call pay to 12 hours of pay per week (Unanimous)
- Approved minutes of the November 10, 2022 meeting (Unanimous)