Elkton-Todd Co. officials still working on water compromise

Utility Superintendent talks to Elkton City Council about water line locations

Elkton City Council spent nearly an hour talking about water lines Tuesday night, eventually yielding authority to its attorney and utility superintendent.

Several council members verbally expressed their frustration with the long process of separating the city and county’s water infrastructure to clearly define what belongs to which entity. The Todd County Water District will charge a cost of service fee for city water that goes through its lines under preliminary discussions that have gotten more tense recently regarding who will service customers in certain areas.

Councilmember Cindy Sidebottom said talks initiated by the county water district “started out ugly” and said there was nowhere else for them to go. Other council members expressed similar feelings of frustration, but agreed work on the process has to continue.

Ultimately, council gave City Attorney Jeff Traughber and Utility Superintendent Terry Frogue authority to iron out a preliminary agreement to trade six customers in the Pond River Road area for 10 customers on Moe Lane and Johnson Lane.

Frogue says Elkton customers won’t see any changes in service directly tied to the negotiations.

Council also expressed an interest in meeting with the Todd County Water District Board about trying to work together for a compromises on all aspects of the ordeal.

In other action, Council passed final reading of its 5.6 million dollar budget and a new pay scale that reflects a two percent cost of living raise for city employees and officials.
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06/12/2012/am