FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. – Although Forsyth County is closer than it has ever been to being able to withdraw water from Lake Lanier it will have to remain dependent on the City of Cumming for a few more years until an intake facility can be constructed.

After a decades long struggle, the county now has the water withdrawal permit that will allow it to pull water from Lake Lanier. In 2012, the Board negotiated a 10-year water purchase agreement with the City that is set to expire next year. To that end, commissioners agreed during Tuesday’s work session to notify the City it plans to renew the contract for 10 more years.

The intergovernmental agreement requires the county to purchase a minimum of 400 million gallons of finished water a year. The original cost was $2.43 per 1,000 gallons but the rate is tied to the consumer price index (CPI). The current rate is $2.82.

County Manager Kevin Tanner said, “In the future if we get a water intake – and that may happen within that time frame — we are only required to purchase just under 1.1 million gallons a day. Currently we’re averaging 16 million gallons a day.”

The Board also agreed to send proposed changes that bring the county alcohol ordinance more into alignment with state regulations to a public hearing in August. One of the more significant changes would allow restaurants to sell mixed drinks to go. The customer must pick up at premise of curbside delivery.

The Board also approved:

• An amendment to the transportation services agreement in the amount of $140,000;
• An Oil Price Information Service (OPIS) Subscription with IHS Markit for the Department of Fleet Services at a cost of $1,836.00;
• Awarding Bid 21-88-1620 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for renovations of the Forsyth County Animal Shelter to Crown Retail Services in the amount of $121,332.00;
• Awarding Bid 21-94-1620 to provide all labor, materials, and equipment for the renovations of the Forsyth County Department of Fleet Maintenance and Department of Roads and Bridges to Crown Retail Services, Inc.in the amount of $128,527.00;
• The In-House Warranty Service Provider Operating Agreement and Agreement Supplement between Ford Motor Company and Forsyth County;
• Approval of a Work Detail Agreement between the Georgia Department of Corrections and Forsyth County to provide Work Detail from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022;
• A Right of Way Easement Agreement between Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation and Forsyth County for the electrical service needs of the historic Matt Schoolhouse;
• A Lease Agreement between West Maple, LLC and Forsyth County for a 12-month lease for 2,200 square feet of office space at 514 West Maple Drive, Building 500, Suites 503 and 504 at a rate of $16.50 per square foot with a monthly expense of $3,025.00;
• Appointment of a County Commissioner Arnold John to fill the vacant seat on the Forsyth County 911 Center Advisory Board;
• Appointment of George Kaufmann to fill a vacant seat on the Metro North Georgia Water Planning District Technical Committee;
• A Memorandum of Understanding with the Lake Lanier Association;
• A memorandum of understanding between Forsyth County and the Land Bank Authority;
• Moving an amended policy authorizing the County Engineering Director or the County Capital Projects Director, with concurrence by the County Attorney, and with final approval by the County Manager, to settle certain condemnations by authorizing certain sums toward settlement to a public hearing;
• Moving consideration of an amendment to the County’s Record Retention Schedules to a public hearing.