About Us

The Big Bend Water Authority was created by Interlocal Agreement pursuant to Section 163.01, Florida Statutes. The counties of Dixie and Taylor are the Parties to that agreement.

The Board of Directors is the head of the Big Bend Water Authority. The Board consists of three (3) representatives of each of the Parties, and each representative is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the governing body of the Parties. A seventh board member is elected by the six (6) appointed representatives. The Board's officers consist of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, each of whom shall serve for a term of one (1) year, or until their respective successor is elected and qualified. The Board is vested with all the powers of the authority.

The General Manager is the Chief Executive Staff Officer of the Big Bend Water Authority, who serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The General Manager administers the Big Bend Water Authority, organizes staff efforts and employs necessary staff with Board approval.

The General Counsel is the Chief Legal Officer of the Big Bend Water Authority, and also serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The General Counsel provides legal advice and support to the Board of Directors and the General Manager.

 

as the pool, and the dock all tied into the water meter.  The wastewater is a minimum for this meter, and therefore Mr. Reblin approved the basic fee for wastewater, with the full amount of water being billed.  Brendan stated there is no documented policy establishing the authority for rate adjustments to be made outside of the general rate structure approved by the Board.    Brendan stated possibly the Authority may need to bring this up during the rate changes/structure.  As stated in the Letter of Response, GM Reblin has been authorized by the BBWA Board to manage the affairs of the utilities systems for BBWA, and at any given time makes the Board aware of any issue that he deems as important or necessary.  If the Authority and/or our attorney feel changes should be made, I feel those will be addressed.

 

There was a time of question and discussion for the Board.  Engineer Mike Murphy asked how many other utilities fully fund on a cash basis depreciation.  The auditors stated, “Yes, other utilities fully fund depreciation on a cash basis.”  Brendan thanked the Board for the opportunity to work with Mark and Cindy, and to present the audit to the Board for their approval.

 

VI.        Approval of BBWA 2017-2018 Audit:  Board Member Margaret Corbin made a motion

 

to approve the BBWA 2017-2018 Final Audit.  Board Member Mills seconded the motion, and the vote was unanimous.

 

VII.       Approval of Invoices:

 

            a.         March 2019 Invoices:  Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the

 

            March 2019 invoices.  Board Member McKinnon seconded the motion, and the vote

 

            was unanimous.

 

            b.         April 2019 Invoices:  Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the April

 

            2019 invoices.  Board Member McKinnon seconded the motion, and the vote was

 

            unanimous.

 

VIII.      Approval of Monthly Financials:

 

            a.         March 2019 Financials:  Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the

 

            March 2019 Financials.  Board Member McKinnon seconded the motion, and the vote

 

            was unanimous.

 

            b.         April 2019 Financials:  Board Member Mills made a motion to approve the

 

            April 2019 Financials.  Board Member McKinnon seconded the motion, and the vote

 

            was unanimous.

 

IX.        Citizens’ Input:  No comments.

 

X.         Mark Reblin:

 

            a.         Bank Account Changes due to Citizens State Bank being sold:  Mark told the

 

            Board due to the bank being sold to VyStar Credit Union, state law prohibits the credit

 

            union from accepting or retaining Florida public deposit accounts.  Which basically

 

            means we have to find another bank.  We have 3 choices in Cross City, (Ameris, Capital

 

            City, and Drummond Community Bank).  After reviewing and discussing our options,

 

            Mark recommended that we go with Ameris Bank.  Chairman Norwood asked for

 

            Mark to see if there is possibility that we could make deposits into VyStar, then transfer

 

            the monies to Ameris Bank.  This being due to the possibility of Cindy not always being/

 

            working here, i.e. retiring.  Cindy stated she has no plan on retiring for quite some time.

 

Mark stated it should not be a problem that he can take deposits occasionally, if