Politics & Government

UPDATE: Mediation Continues on Cumming, Forsyth Water Contract

Mediation continues between the attorneys representing the city of Cumming and Forsyth County over the raw water contract and LOST.

Update: Oct. 17, 2012, 3:45 p.m.

Following Tuesday's monthly Cumming City Council meeting, mediation over the raw water contract and LOST (local options sales tax) negotiation between the city and Forsyth County continues.

The city is not talking as to what has been discussed so far due to a gag order issued by former Georgia Chief Justice Norman Fletcher who is overseeing the mediations.

Find out what's happening in Cummingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We're under a confidentiality agreement the judge required us to sign, it's still ongoing, the mediation is still ongoing and I don't know to the extent when it will be over," said Mayor H. Ford Gravitt.

The mayor also said that the mediation is continuing through the city's counsel.

Find out what's happening in Cummingwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City Attorney Dana Miles would not say whether or not an agreement would be reached by the end of the week.

"We're working towards a resolution, the mediation is ongoing and Mr. Jarrard [Ken Jarrard, county attorney] and I, along with the judge and the parties will continue working until we either reach a completed mediation agreement or until we reach an impasse and we're not at either point," said Miles. 

Original Article:

Mediation resumes this morning between leaders with the City of Cumming and Forsyth County. The issue on the table – the raw water contract that is set to expire on Oct. 31.

The 25-year contract that governed the price and amount of water the city sells to the county expired in May. Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt said the city will continue to sell the county treated water at a rate of $2.50 per 1,000 gallons, but will not sell raw water at the old rate of 10 cents per 1,000 gallons without a signed contract.

It's the second day of mediation between the county and city. On Monday both sides were in talks over revenue from LOST (local options sales tax), which is designed to divide sales tax between the city and county (see the PDF to the right for more details on LOST).

The mediation will resume behind closed doors at new North Georgia College facility off of Pilgrim Mill Road on the second floor, according to Jodi Gardner, spokesperson for the county.

Former Georgia Chief Justice Norman Fletcher is overseeing the mediations.

The Board of Commissioners, Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, City Council, County Manager Doug Derrer, County Attorney Ken Jarrard, County Finance Director Dave Gruen and City Attorney Dana Miles are expected to be in attendance.

You might also be interested in reading:

City Extends Cutoff Date of County's Raw Water Supply

Cumming-Forsyth County Water War Rages


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