The South Fulton Municipal

Water and Sewage Authority appeared headed for a break-up prior to Tuesday

night's meeting. The Authority was formed in April 2000 by the cities

of Fairburn, Palmetto and Union City to address sewage and water issues

for the tri-city area.

Plans have been in the works

to build a reservoir and treatment plant to service the three municipalities

under the umbrella of the Authority.

Recently however, in preparing

initial documentation to initiate the bond application process for the

water reservoir, differing views the three cities held regarding the scope

of the authority came to light.

Fairburn is constructing a

wastewater treatment plant. Fairburn wants to retain ownership of their

own system and, according to Mayor Betty Hannah, joined the authority

with that intention. Maintaining ownership of the wastewater treatment

plant would allow Fairburn to sell services to others entities. Fairburn

has already negotiated one agreement, with Tyrone in Fayette County, for

sewage.

Palmetto and Union City understood

that all three cities would sell their infrastructure to the authority

and the authority in turn would provide water and sewer services to the

cities.

The difference in perceptions

had threatened to fracture the relationship between the three cities.

Fairburn was asked to reconsider their stance on the issue at previous

meetings.

When Fairburn chose to stand

firm on their position, Union City and Palmetto took the issue