After nearly two years of discussions,

the city of Fairburn Monday approved a contract to provide Tyrone sewer

capacity.

"This is a significant

step," said Fairburn City Administrator Tony Cox.

Under the agreement, Fairburn

will provide Tyrone wastewater treatment capacity through Fulton County

until its new wastewater treatment plant is built.

The contract stipulates that

Tyrone can purchase 250,000 gallons of daily capacity until the plant

is built.

Tyrone will pay Fairburn the

wholesale rate that Fairburn pays Fulton County, plus a 15 percent premium

charge.

Fairburn will supply Fulton

County a $4 million performance bond to compensate the county in case

Fairburn does not build its own treatment facility. Tyrone will split

the cost of the bond.

After Fairburn builds its plant,

Tyrone will pay the city on a monthly basis, based on Fairburn's operation

and maintenance municipal rate.

Fairburn is building the plant

to provide sewerage to residents and businesses to the east of U.S. Highway

29 to the the Tyrone town limits.

In order to induce Fairburn

to build the plant, Tyrone agrees to pay the city for $570,000 within

30 days of completion of the contract.

Tyrone will receive a cedit

that will be pro-rated over the 30 years of the contract.

Tyrone will be responsible

for the installation of all gravity or pressure sewer lines installed

in unincorporated Fayette County, Fulton County, Fairburn or Tyrone that

is necessary to complete the agreement.

Tyrone will be solely responsible

for the maintenance and operation of the sewer collection system.

If Fairburn decides to expand

its wastewater treament plant, it will notify Tyrone and Tyrone will have

the option of purchasing more capacity.

The contract now moves to the

Tyrone Town Council for its consideration.