by Leah Justice

Polk County is moving forward with surveys to connect Sunny View School and the Sunny View Fire Department with its waterline that now connects to Hwy. 9 and Hwy.  108 in Mill Spring.

County commissioners met Aug. 18 and had a disagreement amongst the board about having Lake Lure run a water line to the school and fire department because of its close proximity.

Commissioner Ray Gasperson brought up having a discussion with Lake Lure, saying Lake Lure could also provide sewer to the school, which may one day be needed. Polk County cannot provide sewer, Gasperson said.

Gasperson said he’d spoken to the Lake Lure Town Manager and the town is interested in providing the water service. Gasperson also said the manager indicated water rates are negotiable and Lake Lure has no intent of extending its extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) into Polk County.

Gasperson said chances are Lake Lure running their line would be a third of the costs and longer term the town could also provide sewer when needed.

But other commissioners quickly said they do not want Lake Lure in Sunny View and the residents of Sunny View do not want Lake Lure there.

Commissioner Tom Pack reviewed Lake Lure water costs compared to the county’s Broad River Water Authority water, with Lake Lure being substantially higher. Pack also showed a document that indicated Lake Lure at one time said entities that wanted water access would be subject to voluntary annexation.

“I don’t want Lake Lure in Polk County,” Pack said.

Gasperson responded that he is absolutely opposed to any annexation and zoning in Sunny View.

“I just want a discussion,” Gasperson said.

Pack said the county had a discussion for two months and he has a Lake Lure document.

“I think you’d be foolish to try to negotiate when you already know where they’re coming from,” said commissioner Keith Holbert.

Commissioner chair Ted Owens said he doesn’t remember Lake Lure ever saying they’d negotiate their rates. He said it seems to him the town finds out Polk County is going to do something different so now they want to negotiate.

“(Lake Lure’s) growth is along Hwy. 9,” Owens said.

Commissioner Michael Gage said that history shows that Lake Lure tried to annex into Polk County before.

Gasperson said the state has stopped the ability for that to happen, so they can’t annex now.

Gage said Lake Lure could get into Polk County through a water policy.

County engineer Dave Odom told commissioners he is in the process of designing the water line to Sunny View School and there is an approximate two-mile section of the project that is very difficult because of the steep slopes and potential rights of way. He asked for $10,000 for surveying of the section, which is not covered in the county’s contract with Odom. The $10,000 is needed in order for him to contract with a surveyor, Odom said.

Commissioners approved the surveying costs by a 4-1 vote with Gasperson voting against. Gasperson said he would support the expense if other commissioners would agree to obtain two bids for the project-one from the waterline in Mill Spring and one from the school/fire department to Lake Lure.

“Upon obtaining bids, I will propose a small construction administration allowance to manage the project should the county desire to proceed with the project,” said Odom. “ICWD (Inman-Campobello Water District) will provide inspection services to reduce the county’s overall costs.”