WASA chairman urges volunteers for sewer board
What is the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA)? WASA was established in 1987 by an act of the Georgia state legislature to oversee and operate the collection and treatment of wastewater within the service district, which is primarily Peachtree City.
WASA is an entity independent of the Peachtree City government. There are five unpaid volunteer board members, who are required to be city residents and are each appointed to a five-year term by the City Council of Peachtree City. I am currently the Chairman of the Board.
WASA has 29 full-time employees and an annual operating budget of roughly $8,700,000. Each of the current and former board members has always tried to do what is in the best interest of all of the rate payers, as well as comply with the rules and regulations applicable to wastewater treatment, which are designed to protect the environment.
While the regular meetings are advertised and agendas are published, attendance by the public is often times non-existent.
If you were to attend a meeting, it will become readily apparent that the WASA meetings are very efficient, focused, productive business meetings, and in most cases relatively short.
I encourage all citizens to attend. If anyone is interested in discussing the operation of WASA, its objectives and responsibilities, I am available, along with my fellow board members and the Authority’s General Manager.
The reason for this letter is to inform everyone that this year WASA will need to fill three Board vacancies. Typically only one position is filled each year. However, there recently have been two early resignations due to personal reasons and conflicts.
The qualities needed for board members are things such as: an understanding of business, finance and personnel administration, as well as the ability to understand problems and evaluate solutions.
The function of the board is to provide oversight, on behalf of the citizens who are on sewer, of the WASA operation.
Having technical knowledge of operations in not necessary for board members, as WASA has a staff of very professional and capable employees to manage the day-to-day operations.
In the last 15 years, only two board members had any experience in or familiarity with the wastewater industry.
Currently, the three board members include Phil Mahler, a retired IRS auditor, Tim Meredith, a business manager, and me, who does work in the wastewater industry.
In the past, WASA had members who were municipal employees, HR managers, IT consultants, contractors and sales personnel.
If you have ever wanted to contribute to your community by volunteering and have some of the skills mentioned, this is an excellent opportunity for you. The time commitment is relatively small.
WASA usually has one meeting on the first Monday of every month. The notifications to fill the vacancies are posted on the city’s website and the deadline for applying is Nov. 16. As WASA Chairman, I look forward to meeting potential candidates for our Board.
Mike Harman, Chairman
Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority
Peachtree City, Ga.
