Water talks between Forsyth County and Cumming have been pushed back again as the May 26 expiration of the current contract approaches.
Forsyth buys water from Cumming, which is the only cost-effective option available to the county. The hangup is both the price and how the deal is structured.
The County Commission delayed further discussions Thursday until its May 3 meeting. So far, the commissioners have been unable to agree on a proposal and earlier in the week the Cumming City Council refused to consider separate proposals submitted by three commissioners.
Cumming Mayor Ford Gravitt said none of the three proposals was binding, and the city would not sift through offers that had no official county endorsement.
A frustrated Gravitt has threatened that the city will raise its price substantially for the water it supplies the county if a deal isn't brokered by the deadline.
Forsyth paid Cumming about $3.9 million last year for treated water, and about $300,000 for raw water that it processes at its own plant.
The water talks have been contentious since the subject was first broached two months ago. Commissioner Pete Amos, whose district includes Cumming, has recused himself from the negotiations because he operates a water supply business.
Some county residents also have called for Commissioner Brian Tam to recuse himself because of his ties to Tam's Backstage, a restaurant and catering service housed in a building leased from the city. They say they fear his business ties to the city would influence him.
Resident Bob Rorke told commissioners Thursday that based on his 10 years of experience as a director of corporate real estate, he believes the lease agreement is atypical. Among other things, Rorke said, the agreement contains no penalty for late payment and charges a deposit of only $500, which he considers low for a monthly rent of $2,500.
Rorke further argued that the agreement charges no early termination fees and obligates the city to promote the cafe where possible and appropriate.
"Its an agreement that other restaurateurs and retailers would love to have," Rorke said.
Tam said he has no intention of recusing himself from the water talks and he is tired of having his integrity challenged.
Allegations of impropriety concerning the lease were brought up two years ago before the county Board of Ethics. The case was dismissed by unanimous vote.
"If I'd have had a conflict, they would've told me so, and I'd have abided by their ruling," Tam said.
The commissioner said it is his wife, Kelly, whose name is on the lease with the city. "It's a family business," he said, but his chief job is operating the newly opened Tam's Blue Grass Cafe, which is located outside the city.
Tam said his strongest argument is his voting record. He said he has cast many votes demonstrating his impartiality, including the deciding vote to distribute sales tax money according to population -- which prompted the city to sue the county, he noted.
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