In their first meeting of the new year, the Surry County Commissioners unanimously approved adding five additional sections to the Interstates District water line.

The additional lines will cost $174,000 and will reach 50 to 60 new customers, potentially bringing in several thousand dollars of income to the county on an annual basis.

“For the cost, you’ve got a tremendous potential there for a customer base,” Gardin said.

Commissioner Craig Hunter wanted to know what made these additions as important or cost-efficient as adding lines in other areas of the county. With line construction currently taking place near the additions, Gardin said this is more feasible than running lines out to new areas where no systems are in place.

Hunter said, “So this is a less expensive effort?”

Gardin assured him so.

The additional lines will be constructed on N.C. 89 from Oak Grove Church Road westward; a short piece of Pine Ridge Road south of N.C. 89 and the mobile home park; Pine Ridge Road north of N.C. 89; the rest of Pine Ridge south of N.C. 89 and Laurel Springs Road to the Interstate 74 bridge; and N.C. 89 from Pine Ridge Road to Maple Grove Church Road.

Gardin explained that most of the additional lines cover short distances. He said the first addition was left off of the original plan in error; the others came about as the result of people making inquiries about water being brought to their homes and businesses.

At Hunter’s suggestion, the board will look at creating a plan in the future that could create start-up fees making it more feasible to run water lines to areas upon people or businesses’ requests.

The board also approved resolutions for the county’s pending bond sale. The resolutions provided for the issuance of $1.1 million general obligation public building bonds and up to $9 million general obligation refunding bonds.

The board approved these resolutions with virtually no discussion.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.