On Tuesday, the Buchanan City Council met during a called meeting and voiced their lack of support for the current agreement between the city and the Haralson County Water Authority.

Currently, under a charter signed in 1980, the city of Buchanan pays for more water than it uses each month. However, there is a take-or-pay contract in place that mandates a minimum city water bill, regardless of usage.

“We looked into this last year and the original charter as it was set up for the Haralson County Water Authority was signed by the four cities and the county,” said former Buchanan Mayor Jason Jarrell. “In order for the authority to have a revenue source to borrow against to build infrastructure, this was 1980, each city pledged to buy so much water.”

Buchanan currently pays $7,884 per month for water, an amount which will rise slightly after July 1, when a rate increase goes into effect.

“Right now, whether we use it or not, we pay for 3.6 million gallons of water a month,” said Utilities Manager Dean Tanner.

According to Tanner, the average monthly use for the city is approximately 2.8 million gallons, and may be as low as 2.6 million this month.

“We lose anywhere from $3,000 to $3,500 a month,” said Tanner. “That’s the purchase of the water that wasn’t sold.”

According to City Clerk Karen King, the agreement has placed a strain on the city’s finances.

“We struggle to pay our bills regardless, but to pay for water we’re not using, that’s always been an issue,” King said.

“This needs to be changed,” said Councilman Benjamin Westmoreland.

According to Jarrell, both Bremen and Tallapoosa purchase more water than the minimum stipulated by the take or pay contract and, therefore, do not pay for more water than is used.

Jarrell also stated that the contract between Buchanan and the Water Authority can only be amended or changed by a vote of the Water Authority Board.

All the council members expressed their dissatisfaction with the current contract. They asserted that paying for unused water is having a negative impact on city finances and that the contract should take into account the many county buildings within Buchanan City limits.

Mayor Benjamin Biggers, who sits on the Water Authority Board, raised the possibility of him addressing the board and asking for a change in the current agreement. However, though he sits on the board, Biggers would have to abstain from any vote to change the agreement due to a conflict of interest.

Also during the meeting, the city council voted to extend the city’s contract with Waste Industries for trash collection. The council also approved a motion to allow city employees to donate sick time to other city employees in the event of a medical emergency.