Greene Supervisors approve financing package for White Run Reservoir, other projects

Greene County has been planning for many years to increase its water storage capacity and has permits from federal and state authorities to impound White Run to create a reservoir.

This week, the Board of Supervisors approved the issuance of up to $43.5 million in bonds to pay for some of the construction.

“You’re basically authorizing us to issue up to that amount and that gives us a little bit of room in case we need it,” said Courtney Rogers, senior vice president at Davenport and Company.

Rogers said his company is looking to sell the bonds in mid-October. The funding would be available in November.

The idea is for the debt service on the bonds to be paid for by user fees and by water rates. At the public hearing, some expressed concern that would not be enough and the county’s general fund would be used to cover any shortfall.

“If the county doesn’t come forward with enough revenue that you’re anticipating from growth, the money’s got to come from somewhere,” said Fred Turk. ”Where is it going to come from? Do you have a secret pot of money somewhere or are you going to raise taxes

On June 24, Supervisors voted 4 to 1 to proceed with a slightly smaller project than before, dropping the volume of the reservoir from 900 million gallons to 600 million gallons. That and other changes to other water supply components brought down the cost estimate from $87 million to $65.5 million.

At-large Supervisor Francis McGuigan voted no at that time and he was once again the lone vote against the financing.

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