Sewer commissioners OK a settlement

From the standpoint of those who set the policy for Oconee County sewer, a long-running money dispute with county government is at an end.  The commissioners for the Joint Regional Sewer Authority last night agreed to accept a one-time, $1.9 million dollar payment.  That payment from Oconee County is to relieve the county of annual $610 thousand payments, as required in a 2008 inter-government agreement.  The vote by the sewer commissioners followed a closed-door session with their attorney.  The attorney, Larry Brandt, called it a “clean break” from the provisions of the 2008 agreement and said that, in the future, the JRSA will consider on a “case-by-case basis” county government request for sewer service and projects.  Brandt also said the action by the sewer commissioners must be approved by the Oconee County Council.  He predicted there will be such approval by the council.