In an effort to maintain its water and wastewater treatment systems in the future once it is in compliance, which could cost as much as $8 million, the Century Town Council approved a resolution to adopt a Water Asset Management Plan, presented recently by Chris Bailey, with Florida Rural Water (FRW).
Bailey met with the mayor, council, water staff and Interim City Manager Buz Eddy recently to discuss the town's current non-compliant status, the result of a recent inspection that led to a management plan that could cost up to $8,000,000 to bring the town's water and wastewater plant into compliance. The corrections will be funded with grants and will take place as the town can afford it. Escambia County Commissioner Stephen Barry and State Rep. Doug Broxson have pledged a combined addition of $900,000 in legislative appropriations following the meeting at Century's water and wastewater plant in September.
The water asset management plan has to be adopted through a resolution when it is presented to DEP for grant applications, according to Interim City Manager Buz Eddy.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) relies on FRW for grant applications when they file for a grant application for the town of Century Eddy said. Of the $8,000,000 it is going to cost, 90 percent will come from grants, he said.
In a motion by Councilman Ben Boutwell and seconded by Councilman James Smith, the motion carried unanimously.
In other business, the council approved a grant from United Way to install the Born Learning Trail program that funds signs and graphics applied to a path or trail to help children learn shapes, colors and objects in the natural environment.
The signs and graphics will be installed area near the T-ball field just beyond the cemetery toward the back side behind Showalter Park. Mayor Henry Hawkins said volunteers will be needed to dig holes, design graphics and paint.
In a motion made by Councilman Boutwell and seconded by Sandra McMurray Jackson, the motion carried.
