Athens County Commissioners made an appearance at Monday night’s Athens City Council meeting — but their pitch to combine city and county wastewater facilities might not be a done deal.
Commissioners Larry Payne and Lenny Eliason introduced a plan last week to connect the county’s wastewater facilities to the city’s wastewater facilities, which would allow for the annexation of county property to the city.
“I still have a lot of concerns,” said Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward. “This has a lot of potential upsides for the county and a lot of downsides for the city.”
Council members unanimously agreed with Fahl’s concerns regarding the lack of county zoning regulations and how that could affect city wastewater facilities if connected.
In a struggle between commissioners who wanted to get the ball rolling and council members who wished for more details about the plan, both parties expressed interest for progress with the project.
Council members and commissioners decided to create a committee for the contract discussions that will include city officials — including members of city council — and county commissioners to express concerns of the council and citizens.
Council members also introduced a new health insurance plan for same-sex couples and non-married couples that are in domestic partnerships. The new plan would extend health insurance to 39 city employees who don’t get the same coverage as married couples under the city’s current plan.
The current proposal would allow couples to enroll in the new plan as early as Jan. 1, 2013, but delays could push that date back, said Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large.
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