Orange Water & Sewer Authority (OWASA) public meetings in 2025
17 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Directors
The provided agenda contains only procedural software placeholders and boilerplate text. There are no specific decisions, discussions, or action items listed.
Board of Directors
The Board will hear presentations and discuss alternatives for PFAS treatment of drinking water, sizing of a proposed clearwell, a wildlife corridor expert, and a reimbursement policy for system development projects. Consent items include financial reports, equipment procurements, and a construction contract for wastewater plant HVAC improvements. A closed session is scheduled for personnel matters.
- Discussion of alternatives for PFAS treatment of drinking water
- Review of sizing for the proposed clearwell
- Sole source procurement of flocculation mixers for Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant
- Resolution awarding a construction contract for WWTP Digester Control Building 2 HVAC improvements
- Overview of reimbursement policy for system development projects
Board of Directors
The Carrboro Board of Directors agenda for October 23, 2025, contains only procedural boilerplate and no substantive items for decision or discussion.
Board of Directors
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) Board of Directors will discuss and consider approving a resolution authorizing an interlocal agreement with the Town of Chapel Hill for planning wastewater system improvements to serve the expanded Urban Services Area. The board will also review a committee report on PFAS equipment capital analysis, discuss capacity of the Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant, and consider an action plan responding to development community feedback. Additional agenda items include the annual comprehensive financial report, a water bill relief program update, and routine consent items.
- Resolution to authorize interlocal agreement (ILA) with Chapel Hill for Southern Boundary Expansion wastewater improvements
- Capital Analysis of PFAS Equipment Committee Report
- Review of Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant capacity
- Action Plan for Response to Development Community Feedback
- Update on Water Bill Relief Program
The Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board met in closed session to review the performance review criteria for the Executive Director. No official action was taken on the criteria. After the closed session, the Board reconvened in open session to continue the meeting.
Board of Directors
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors will meet on September 25, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the OWASA Community Room, 400 Jones Ferry Road, Carrboro. The agenda includes a discussion item titled “Rate Study Work Session” with an attached PDF (25-09-25 Rate Study Work Session.pdf). Other agenda items are standard procedural items such as Call to Order, Announcements, Petitions and Requests, Summary of Board Meeting Items, and Adjournment.
- Rate Study Work Session – discussion item (attachment: 25-09-25 Rate Study Work Session.pdf)
- Call to Order – opening of the meeting
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will meet to discuss and potentially act on follow-up from a workshop on Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant improvements. Consent items include approving the FY2027 budget calendar, a preliminary 12-month financial report, and an annual DEIB/EEO report. The board will also receive updates on potential streambank restoration pilot projects and review feedback from the development community.
- Follow-up discussion on Jones Ferry Road Water Treatment Plant Improvements
- Approve Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Calendar
- Preliminary 12 Month Financial Report
- Update on Potential Streambank Restoration Pilot Projects
- Review Development Community Feedback
The board unanimously approved the July 10, 2025 meeting minutes and the July 10 closed‑session minutes. It voted 7‑2 to approve an invitation for the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and Orange County to attend OWASA board meetings as liaison members. The board accepted several consent items, including the FY 2027 budget calendar and the annual surplus‑property report. A rate‑study work session was scheduled for September 25, 2025.
- Approved July 10, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved July 10, 2025 closed‑session minutes (unanimous)
- Approved invitation for Carrboro, Chapel Hill and Orange County to attend OWASA meetings (7‑2)
- Accepted FY 2027 Budget Calendar (consent item)
- Accepted Annual Report on Disposal of Surplus Personal Property (consent item)
- Accepted Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Update and EEOP Report for FY 2025 (consent item)
- Accepted Preliminary Financial Report for the twelve‑month period ended June 30, 2025 (consent item)
- Scheduled Rate Study Work Session for September 25, 2025
Ad-Hoc Committees
The Capital Analysis of PFAS Equipment Committee, an ad-hoc committee of the OWASA Board of Directors, will receive an update from staff and discuss the process for capital expenditures outside of normal maintenance. The committee will decide on a recommendation to present to the full Board at its September 11, 2025 meeting.
- Discussion and recommendation on defining the process for capital expenditures for PFAS equipment, outside of normal maintenance and upkeep
Board Workshop
The agenda for the Carrboro Board Workshop on August 27, 2025, consists only of procedural boilerplate and embedded system elements. No decisions, discussions, or specific agenda items are listed.
The board voted unanimously to convene a closed session under N.C. General Statute 143-318-11(a)(1) to discuss security‑related plans and drawings. It then voted unanimously to return to an open session. No other items were considered and the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
- Entered closed session (unanimous approval)
- Returned to open session (unanimous approval)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will meet to vote on several consent items, including a construction contract for the West Rosemary Street water main replacement, and to discuss parking solutions with community feedback, PFAS management, a rate study schedule, and a marketing strategy. The board will also hear a report on Tropical Storm Chantal's impact on operations and consider adjustments to employee compensation and the backflow prevention ordinance.
- Resolution awarding a construction contract for the West Rosemary Street Water Main Replacement project
- Discussion of parking solutions and evaluation framework using community feedback
- Update on PFAS and OWASA Biosolids Management Program
- Approval of schedule for special meetings on a rate study
- Resolution amending backflow and cross-connection control ordinance
The Orange Water & Sewer Authority Board met in closed session on August 14, 2025 to discuss the performance review process for the Executive Director. No official action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m.
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board will discuss awarding a construction contract for the West Rosemary Street Water Main Replacement Project. They will also consider expanding the southern service area boundary, the FY 2026 budget process and rate study schedule, and a draft map of conservation areas within easements. A closed session will address personnel matters.
- Award construction contract for West Rosemary Street Water Main Replacement Project
- Conceptual planning for expanded southern service area boundary
- Review FY 2026 budget process and schedule for rate study special meetings
- Review draft map designating conservation areas within easements
Board of Directors
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority Board of Directors will hold concurrent public hearings regarding the proposed annual operating and capital improvements budget and proposed rates, fees, and charges. The board will also consider budget amendments and strategic initiatives.
- Public hearings on Proposed Annual Operating and Capital Improvements Budget and Proposed Rates, Fees, and Charges
- Resolution to Amend Fiscal Year 2025 Budget
- Material procurement for the South Circle Drive Water Main Replacement Project
- Discussion on PFAS levels in fish at Cane Creek Reservoir
- Update on Jones Ferry Road Development and collaboration with Glosson Circle Community
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will discuss the Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget and proposed rates, along with strategic priorities and technology monitoring practices. Consent items include resolutions to set public hearings on the budget and rates, accept a low-interest state loan for PFAS-related projects, and authorize employee insurance plan contracts.
- Review of Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget and rate information
- Resolution setting June 12, 2025 public hearing on FY2026 budget
- Resolution setting June 12, 2025 public hearing on proposed revisions to rates, fees, and charges
- Resolution accepting low-interest loan from State of North Carolina for PFAS funding
- Review of strategic priorities including planning for growth, capital planning, and utility easements
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will hold a work session on the Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget, reviewing pro forma worksheets, projected debt balances, and a draft capital improvements plan. They will also consider potential updates to the ethics policy, including a resolution revising the conflict-of-interest policy. Board members will hear a presentation on a water bill relief program concept that was previously presented to the Carrboro Town Council.
- Work session for Fiscal Year 2026 draft budget (includes Option 1 pro forma worksheet, debt balances, draft CIP)
- Review and potential action on ethics policy updates (resolution to revise conflict-of-interest policy)
- Presentation on Water Bill Relief Program concept presented to Carrboro Town Council on April 15, 2025
- Review of board work schedule and pending staff action items (12-month meeting schedule attached)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will vote on a resolution to apply for state funding for PFAS planning and a contract to purchase a property at 114 Glosson Circle. They will also discuss the FY2026 capital improvements program and budget alternatives, nominate board officers, and review the conflict of interest policy.
- Resolution to apply for state funding for PFAS planning, design, or construction
- Acquisition of property at 114 Glosson Circle in Carrboro
- Overview of FY2026 Capital Improvements Program and budget alternatives
- Board member nominations for election as board officers
- Request to review OWASA's Conflict of Interest (Ethics) Policy
The OWASA Board met in closed session to evaluate the annual performance review of the General Counsel for May 2024‑April 2025 and the Key Focus Areas review of the Executive Director for the same period. No official action was taken on either item. The meeting then reconvened in open session and adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
Board of Directors
The agenda for the March 27, 2025, meeting of the Carrboro Board of Directors is available online. The document lists meeting details, history, and vote results but does not contain the specific agenda items or resolutions.
The board voted to convene a closed session to discuss the Executive Director's performance, and the motion was approved unanimously. After the closed session, the board voted to reconvene in open session, also approved unanimously. Finally, the board voted to adjourn the meeting, again with unanimous approval.
- Closed session to discuss Executive Director performance approved (unanimous)
- Reopen open session approved (unanimous)
- Adjourn meeting approved (unanimous)
Board of Directors
The OWASA Board of Directors will consider resolutions to set a May 8, 2025 public hearing for the FY2026 budget and for proposed revisions to the schedule of rates, fees, and charges. The board will also discuss the draft FY2026 budget and rate adjustment, review development policies, and consider a payment model for capacity modeling. Additionally, they will review community survey results and hold nominations and election for board chair.
- Resolution setting May 8, 2025 public hearing for FY2026 budget
- Resolution setting May 8, 2025 public hearing for proposed rate revisions
- Discussion of draft FY2026 budget and rate adjustment
- Development policy review and update
- Nominations and election of board chair
Board of Directors
The Orange Water and Sewer Authority board will discuss and potentially approve a strategy for a sustained water bill assistance program. They will also consider consent items including a capital improvements semiannual report, financial report for the six-month period ended December 31, 2024, a 2025 annual strategic plan update, a resolution approving an audit firm contract, and two employee reclassifications. Other discussion items include a water treatment plant project planning update, capacity modeling results for Old Chapel Hill Road, and board retreat planning.
- Approve strategy for pursuing sustained water bill assistance program
- Capital Improvements Program Semiannual Report for February 2025
- Financial Report for six-month period ended December 31, 2024
- Resolution approving audit firm contract
- Retitle and reclassify Senior Customer Service Representative to Customer Service Supervisor and one Customer Service Representative to Billing and Collection Technician