BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER—Several area counties, including Columbia, Suwannee, Baker, and Hamilton are working on creating a North Florida water utility. Union was also invited to join in the project, but county commissioners, after a brief discussion, chose not to participate.
The main idea is to make water available where needed to increase development, with communities able to share resources. At present, development is limited due to the availability of both water and sewer services. With the cooperative effort, pipes could be laid into an area from another county – such as sewer service from the new sewage plant in Ellisville into Providence.
The group of counties is holding meetings and has secured the services of Greg Bailey of North Florida Professional Services to conduct a research project into available grants. The idea is to get grants for the system at no cost to the counties. The subsequent billing for these services could actually bring funds into the counties once the system is up and running.
County Coordinator Jimmy Williams attended the first two meetings of the four held so far and brought the matter to the board.
The idea was discussed, but no commissioner made a motion to approve the early participation stage, and the general attitude was that they were not interested.
“Something like this is needed for growth,” Williams said. “These counties are trying to put together a plan for the future for growth and a water supply everywhere it is needed.”
