When Pulaski County Sewer District Board members convene at noon today, there will be new reason for optimism that a resolution may be on the horizon between the board and the city of Waynesville.
Waynesville City Administrator Bruce Harrill on Friday indicated he would be willing to ask City Council members whether they would be willing to forgive debt if it could stir both sides to end the territorial dispute that has resulted in multiple litigations.
The debt results from a discrepancy on rates the city charges its customers and what it charges the Pulaski County Sewer District.
Currently, the debt is estimated to be in excess of $100,000.
“We'll have to see what happens,” Harrill said Friday. “It might be a hard-sell, and I don't know whether they'll go for it. However, I think in the interest of moving forward it's something I'd be willing to take to them.”
On the eve of the Sewer District's meeting today, Pulaski County Sewer District Chairman Gary Porter said he would bring the news of Harrill's willingness to his board members today.
“I think it's a great concession,” Porter said Monday afternoon. “And, yes, you should know I will make a recommendation to our board (today) that could lead to a possible resolution.”
Porter would not go on the record as to what that recommendation may be. However, he said if approved it could end the stalemate.
“If (Sewer Board members) go for it, this could give us good reason to proceed with the city,” Porter said.
At issue is a territorial dispute of who should serve the area near Buckhorn of Skyline Cycles and Grace Covenant Church.
Harrill, who Friday was taking a reporter out to the city's western edge to view the disputed area, reiterated the city has undergone great expense to provide service to that area, a cost some think may not pay dividends any time soon.
“It cost the city of Waynesville about $170,000 to bring that line out here,” Harrill said. “We might get $25 a month in sewer bills from them. We didn't do this to make money. It was just the right thing to do,” Harrill said.
Sitting in the back seat of the Waynesville city vehicle, Water Plant Supervisor Danny Graves added: “It'll never be paid off in my lifetime.”
Harrill added: “It was an investment in economic development.”
The city administrator added the territorial dispute has hampered economic development in the area, specifically mentioning a considered development that has been delayed and perhaps cancelled because of the impasse.
“We just need to move on past this,” Harrill said.
Said Graves: “Yes, it's about doing what's best for the citizens, the public. It's about serving the public. They (the public) should come first.”
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When Pulaski County Sewer District Board members convene at noon today, there will be new reason for optimism that a resolution may be on the horizon between the board and the city of Waynesville.
Waynesville City Administrator Bruce Harrill on Friday indicated he would be willing to ask City Council members whether they would be willing to forgive debt if it could stir both sides to end the territorial dispute that has resulted in multiple litigations.
The debt results from a discrepancy on rates the city charges its customers and what it charges the Pulaski County Sewer District.
Currently, the debt is estimated to be in excess of $100,000.
“We'll have to see what happens,” Harrill said Friday. “It might be a hard-sell, and I don't know whether they'll go for it. However, I think in the interest of moving forward it's something I'd be willing to take to them.”
On the eve of the Sewer District's meeting today, Pulaski County Sewer District Chairman Gary Porter said he would bring the news of Harrill's willingness to his board members today.
“I think it's a great concession,” Porter said Monday afternoon. “And, yes, you should know I will make a recommendation to our board (today) that could lead to a possible resolution.”
Porter would not go on the record as to what that recommendation may be. However, he said if approved it could end the stalemate.
“If (Sewer Board members) go for it, this could give us good reason to proceed with the city,” Porter said.
At issue is a territorial dispute of who should serve the area near Buckhorn of Skyline Cycles and Grace Covenant Church.
Harrill, who Friday was taking a reporter out to the city's western edge to view the disputed area, reiterated the city has undergone great expense to provide service to that area, a cost some think may not pay dividends any time soon.
“It cost the city of Waynesville about $170,000 to bring that line out here,” Harrill said. “We might get $25 a month in sewer bills from them. We didn't do this to make money. It was just the right thing to do,” Harrill said.
Sitting in the back seat of the Waynesville city vehicle, Water Plant Supervisor Danny Graves added: “It'll never be paid off in my lifetime.”
Harrill added: “It was an investment in economic development.”
The city administrator added the territorial dispute has hampered economic development in the area, specifically mentioning a considered development that has been delayed and perhaps cancelled because of the impasse.
“We just need to move on past this,” Harrill said.
Said Graves: “Yes, it's about doing what's best for the citizens, the public. It's about serving the public. They (the public) should come first.”
