City OKs Airport Water And Sewer Purchase

The only sound heard during a public hearing Tuesday at Sebring City Hall was the sound of Council President James "Bud" Whitlock's gavel coming down.

The council sought public input to determine if buying the Sebring Airport Authority's water and sewer systems was in the public interest.

Hearing no opposition, the council proceeded to vote 4-1 to approve a resolution to purchase four wells, a 300,000-gallon water tank, 36,960 linear feet of water distribution lines as well as pumps, generators and all other infrastructure and customer accounts, for about $700,000.

Councilman Scott Stanley cast the dissenting vote.

The system services Sebring Regional Airport, its industrial park and the Sebring International Raceway.

The price also included the airport's 21,044 linear feet of sewer pipes, wastewater treatment plant, customer base and other system infrastructure.

The airport board decided it did not need to be in the water and sewer business.

How the city will pay for the two systems, whether it's from the utility fund, taking over an existing Rural Development loan from the airport authority or possibly even obtaining a local bank loan, remains to be decided.

Other Business

•The council voted unanimously to approve $120,445 for labor, equipment and material costs to relocate 440 feet of a 16-inch force main under the CSX Railroad tracks as part of the Sebring Parkway Phase II-A project.

•The council approved a resolution to amend the budget to purchase the Highlands Utilities Corporation sewer system for $1.4 million plus $150,000 for the land from Pugh Septic Tank Service, for a total price of $1.55 million.

It also voted to set prices for Highlands' existing customers at current rates or city of Sebring outside of the city rates, whichever is higher.

•The council approved staff to contract with Professional Piping Services Inc. for cleaning about 18,795 linear feet of sewer force main to restore maximum flow to the city's system. Council budgeted $99,963 for the service.

•The council approved a request from the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce to hold its sidewalk sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 8, as well as use of the city's parking lot on the corner of West Center Street and Circle Park Drive.