# Weaverville Town Council Workshop Tues., January 16, 2024

**Body:** Town of Weaverville — Town Council
**Date:** January 16, 2024 6:00 PM EST (2024-01-16T18:00:00-05:00)

**Link:** https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1909

## Summary

The Weaverville Town Council held a workshop on January 16, 2024, focused entirely on the town’s water system challenges and future infrastructure improvements. The session served as an information-sharing opportunity rather than a vote-taking body, allowing council members to review detailed updates on capital projects, funding strategies, and operational capacity. The meeting opened with a brief acknowledgement of Councilmember Doug Jackson’s excused absence due to injury, followed by a short discussion on the need for an accounting professional to serve on the County Audit Committee.

The primary discussion centered on a comprehensive review of water projects, including a water rate study, a 10-year capital improvement plan, and specific infrastructure upgrades. Finance Director Dozier presented an update on the water rate study conducted by Withers-Ravenale, which aims to ensure adequate revenue for operations and capital expenditures while examining tiered pricing to encourage conservation. The council reviewed a $28 million, 28-month plan for cyclical water projects, noting that $16 million in grant funding has already been secured. Key projects discussed included the Woodfin Interconnect, a waterline inflation project behind Stony Malkyap, and a resiliency project involving the replacement of the chlorine system with a safer sodium hypochlorite system. The council also examined plans for a water treatment plant expansion, which would double capacity, and discussed sludge treatment options, including the potential addition of a rotary roof thickener.

Council members reached a general consensus on several strategic directions without taking formal votes. They agreed to continue pursuing discussions with the Woodfin Water and Service Sanitary District to gauge interest in collaboration, a point emphasized by Mayor Pro Tem Pearl Cornell regarding the importance of regional cooperation. The council also agreed to proceed with the current funding plan, which includes utilizing ARPA funds as revenue replacement, and to maintain a 50% target for the water fund balance as recommended by Withers-Ravenale. Town Manager Anthony Barr highlighted the necessity of proactive planning and investment in water infrastructure to avoid future crises, while Public Works Director Dale Price provided technical details on project timelines.

No public comments were received during this workshop, as it was designated as an information-sharing session. The council did not take action on any motions during the meeting, focusing instead on reviewing the financial implications of various project options. The town is currently operating at 94% of its water capacity due to new development commitments, underscoring the urgency of the discussed infrastructure expansions and capacity planning.

Several follow-up actions were explicitly agreed upon by staff and the council. Withers-Ravenale is tasked with completing the water rate study within one to two months. Town staff agreed to reach out to the Woodfin Water and Service Sanitary District to initiate discussions about potential collaboration. Staff will also continue monitoring water capacity in preparation for increased demand from new developments and will provide further information on the financial implications of various project options. Additionally, the Town Council agreed to formally approve the use of ARPA funds for water projects at a later date and to revisit the 50% target for the water fund balance to potentially establish a formal policy.

## Video & Transcript

- Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL71QeeEnRA
- Transcript: https://sunshinemeetings.org/transcript/1382/segments

## Documents

- [agenda_packet_2024-01-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1909?document=14395)
- [minutes_2024-01-16.pdf](https://sunshinemeetings.org/event/1909?document=14396)

## Sources

- [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL71QeeEnRA)