The story
In January 2025, the Cornelia Water & Sewerage Authority discussed the plant expansion, noting structural design was about 95% complete, electrical design about 75% complete, and overall project design about 95% complete. The discussion referenced a possible 325% tipping fee increase.
By July 2025, the authority discussed that 90%-complete plans had been sent to Reeves-Young for cost estimating in March 2025, producing an estimate of $33.56 million, plus or minus 10%. Other figures discussed included $16.09 million plus or minus 10%, a range of plus or minus $10 million, and $2 million.
The authority discussed the same March 2025 cost estimate again in January 2026, still citing the $33.56 million figure plus or minus 10%, along with additional cost figures including $2,300,000, $23,000,000, $150,000, and $800,000.
As of the authority's April 2026 meeting, the expansion cost estimate of $33.56 million plus or minus 10% and the related cost figures were discussed again, with no vote recorded on the project.