30 Jun OWASA Board of Directors Meeting Summary for June 25
OWASA’s Board of Directors met virtually on Thursday, June 25, 2020, and considered an agenda that included a resolution appointing a new Executive Director, an update on the response to COVID-19, and an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 budget.
The Board of Directors is currently meeting virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Director
The Board approved a resolution appointing Todd Taylor to serve as OWASA’s next Executive Director effective July 6, 2020. Taylor will succeed Ed Kerwin, who announced in June 2019 his intentions to retire after 24 years of service as OWASA’s Executive Director. Taylor has served as OWASA’s General Manager of Operations since 2013. Since October 2019, OWASA worked with a consultant to conduct the national search and solicited feedback from local government partners to help craft the recruitment profile for the position.
Pandemic Response
The Board received an update on OWASA’s response to COVID-19 and a phased plan for returning to normal operations. OWASA continues to take proactive measures to ensure we provide the community with high-quality and reliable water, wastewater, and reclaimed water services during the COVID-19 pandemic. OWASA opened the lake recreation season on May 29, 2020, utilizing an electronic reservation system and COVID-19-specific guidelines. Staff began collecting lake-use fees on June 12 via credit or debit card transactions only. OWASA will continue the suspension of service disconnection for non-payment through at least the end of July 2020 and will keep the Board informed on plans for customer payment plans and utility billing assistance. Chair DuBose transmitted a letter on June 12 to our State elected officials providing support for state funding of utility bill assistance.
Budget Amendment
The Board approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020 budget. The amendment reallocated $1.2 million from the Capital Improvements Program to the operating budget to offset a shortfall in water and sewer revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Next Meeting
The Board will hold its next meeting remotely on Thursday, June 25, 2020, via Microsoft Teams at 6 p.m.; a link will be provided here.
OWASA’s administrative office is closed to the public to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Customers in need of assistance can still contact OWASA from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (919) 968-4421, emailing customerinquiries@owasa.org, or using the chat function available in the bottom-right corner of the web page. Please allow for additional time for OWASA staff to respond during this time. We appreciate your patience.