The Blairsville City Council approved a long-discussed sewer line expansion in a called meeting on Oct. 29, greenlighting a tangible recognition of growth in the mountains of North Georgia.
According to the project proposal, “the area of the Blairsville Cinema and bowling alley have long suffered from problems from their septic systems,” and due to ongoing construction along the SR 515 corridor, the council unanimously agreed the time was right to act that evening.
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Also contributing to the decision, Moore said costs will only go up with further waiting, and the expansion will serve other development purposes between the city and the cinema.
Councilman Tony Dyer implied discretion when asking Moore about city finances. Moore explained that water and sewer funds are kept separate from other expenses, and much of the expenditure in question will be covered thanks to a grant and a loan.
To break down those costs, the total project is estimated to come out at $5,119,000. The bulk, or $4,174,000 of that, will account for construction, while engineering, permitting and other project support defines $945,000.
An Appalachian Regional Commission grant will cover $2 million, and a loan from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority amounts to $2,183,300. This leaves a $935,700 subsidy for the GEFA Clean Water State Revolving Fund principal forgiveness.
The loan term will last for approximately 20 years with an interest rate of 3.39%, which translates to payments of $12,539 per month or $150,468 per year. The council does not anticipate any increases in sewer rates due to the project.
The current estimate for implementation is 27 months. After easement acquisition, the next step involves submitting plans for a pump station. Construction can begin following the approval of those blueprints and the end of the bidding process.
In other business, thanks to information provided by Police Chief Michael “Bear” Baxter, the council learned of an alcohol violation by FoodMart, which operates inside city limits, where an underage operative was able to purchase alcohol.
Chief Baxter explained that the 20-year-old shared her actual birth date with the clerk, who sold her alcohol anyway.
“She did not have any form of ID with her. They sent her in with money that was basically used to buy (alcohol),” Baxter clarified, adding that a surveillance officer witnessed the interaction as well. The clerk was immediately cited, and the business was temporarily barred from selling alcohol.
This marks the second violation in the establishment’s history, with the first occurring in December of 2023. City Attorney Marvin Harkins explained that, per the city’s alcohol code, fines for second offenses can run between $500 and $5,000, and the city can choose to suspend the business’s alcohol license or revoke it altogether.
Baxter suggested setting a considerable fine for the second offense to discourage additional violations. Councilwoman Mary Ruth Cook advocated for the full $5,000 limit, but the council ultimately decided on a $3,000 fine. Additionally, FoodMart was suspended from selling alcohol for a month.
