A new, more positive path forward has seemingly been reached in the tensions between the Gordonsville Town Council and the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA).
In January, the council adopted a resolution terminating the town’s circa 1985 contract with the utility authority. Under the agreement, the town collected and billed for sewer on behalf of RSA. According to the resolution, the council felt it would be in the public’s best interest to deal with only one point of contact for sewer service and billing questions rather than dealing with RSA for service questions and concerns and the town for billing questions and concerns. The resolution states that in the interest of public transparency, the authority as the sewer service provider should deal directly with the public on its rate structure to provide clarity and transparency of its costs, rates, charges and fees.
The resolution gave notice that the agreement would be terminated as of March 30. However, on Monday, council members voted to extend that deadline by 60 days, pushing the termination date to the end of May.
According to town manager Anthony Schienschang, a productive meeting was held recently between himself, RSA Board of Members Chair Mark Johnson, RSA General Manager Tim Clemons and Gordonsville Mayor Ron Brooks. Through that meeting, it was determined that both the town and RSA use the same software system of billing. The town also bills for water, which it will continue to do since the infrastructure is town-owned. Brooks said the entities are working together to create a link between the two allowing RSA to pull the information needed to bill the town’s sewer customers. Once that information is provided, RSA will advertise and hold public hearings to establish a sewer rate for Gordonsville customers. It’s currently unknown what that rate will be. Clemons said the rate structure is being developed.
“We’re going to try to make [this transition] as seamless and easy as it can be,” he said.
In addition, RSA has agreed to provide a $500 credit to the town monthly for 15 years at a total of approximately $90,000 to offset costs associated with replacing water meters.
Gordonsville customers may also soon see savings on the water side of their bills. Town officials said they will begin looking at water rates and areas they’ve been able to become more efficient.
“For both the town and RSA, it is our duty to do the right thing as best we know how for our customers and residents and the people of Orange County,” Schienschang said. “We’re trying to do our best to be as clear as we can and make sure we’re not passing on extraneous costs to you and [ensure] you’re getting the best service we can provide.”
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