At a special called meeting of the Pearson City Council Wednesday night, the council voted to turn the operations of its failing water system to Atkinson County. The county will take over the water and sewer work, along with handling expenses, payroll, and income.
The county will also receive a $1 million Georgia Environmental Finance Authority grant to begin repairing the water system. The grant is ready to be awarded to the county so the work can start immediately. The county will continue to manage the water system until further notice
The City of Pearson has experienced a significant menagerie of problems with its water system of late. The city has been plagued with multiple boil water advisories and school has been cancelled due to concerns about the cleanliness of the city’s water. The city does not have the funds to repair or maintain the water system, putting citizens throughout Pearson at risk of all the complications that come with inadequate water and sewer.
Lots of people have been working behind the scenes to make sure this happened, in particular State Rep. James Burchett and State Sen. Russ Goodman. Last night after the meeting, Rep. Burchett posted the following on his Facebook page: “Tonight, the Pearson City Council unanimously approved turning over the water and sewer system to Atkinson County. This step ensures that the system will be managed with the resources and oversight needed to provide reliable service for all of our citizens. The county will now move forward prioritizing the long-term stability and growth of our community. I appreciate the leadership of the council and the commitment of our county officials to work hand-in-hand for the good of everyone who calls Pearson and Atkinson County home. Thank you Senator Russ Goodman and Chairman Parker Liles for the many phone conversations and meetings over the past few weeks.”
Sen. Goodman also made a post: “I am beyond relieved and thankful that the Mayor and City Council have voted unanimously to move forward with the intergovernmental agreement. This will open up resources that are desperately needed in the City of Pearson. I just want to publicly thank Rep. James Burchett County Commission Chairman Parker Liles, Larry Hanson and his team at the Georgia Municipal Association, Hunter Hill at the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, Charlie Barrett in the Senate Pro Tem’s office, both the county and the city attorneys and the Pearson City Council for moving forward. Today was a good day for the citizens of Atkinson County and Pearson and I greatly appreciate the collaboration that has taken place with both representatives from the federal, state and local governments. Clean drinking water and safe sewage systems should be expected by and delivered to every American citizen and we went along way in making this a reality in Pearson, GA tonight.”
Atkinson County Commission Chairman Parker Liles also chimed in: “Our goal is to help the City of Pearson with their water/sewer infrastructure. We will start that process within the week. We will be working with GEFA, Statewide Engineering, and other agencies to assess the problems and make corrections. Lift stations, sewer, wells, wastewater treatment and more will all be a priority. Our goal is to help all citizens of Atkinson County. We want all of Atkinson County to be successful and a place everyone is proud to call home. Huge thanks to Senator Russ Goodman and Representative James Burchett. They worked tirelessly to find some emergency funds to help the City of Pearson without adding burden to our county taxpayers. Our citizens in the incorporated areas of Pearson and Willacoochee also pay county taxes and we are pleased to help them. When citizens in Axson, Pearson, Willacoochee, and our other communities are successful we all have a home in which we can be proud.”
A copy of the intergovernmental agreement between the city and county can be seen below.