Recap: City of Mauldin Standing Committees Meeting

Last night was the monthly meeting of Mauldin’s standing committees. The highlights were the annual update on the status if the sewer system, a request for proposals for an energy audit and, perhaps most notably, the announcement of an event this weekend honoring Mauldin’s own Scott Wingo.

City Administrator Trey Eubanks announced the plans to recognize Wingo, the former Mauldin High School baseball star turned two-time College World Series Champion as a member of the South Carolina Gamecocks. Wingo was named the Most Outstanding Player of this year’s Series and is expected to begin his professional career later this month with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. But before he does, he’ll be feted beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Mauldin Recreation Center. Wingo will also be presented with the key to the city by Mayor Don Godbey.

The committee meeting began with a presentation from consultant Ron Lawson on the state of the city’s sewer system. Lawson noted that Mauldin residents’ quarterly fees of $18.75 haven’t been raised since 2004. The fees are lower than those of neighbors Fountain Inn, Simpsonville and Greenville. Eubanks also noted that the system carries zero debt. From an operational standpoint, Public Works Director Greg Fincher said that the system is averaging less than one overflow per year since 2005 (Maps depicting the status of the system can be viewed ).

The presentations were part of an annual review for the city and Eubanks pronounced the infrastructure in good shape and the finances in great shape while adding that, like any service, a long-range view is needed. “We have low rates and there is no debt,” Eubanks said. “Our system is working well.”

Eubanks also announced an intent to for request for qualificstions for an energy audit to the city’s facilities. Eubanks hops to find a contractor who can measure the effectiveness of the energy systems in the city’s infrastructure ranging from light bulbs to HVAC. After the audit, the contractor would then perform the necessary upgrades and be paid by the savings that would be created from the work they had just completed. The project would be similar to one that recently took place in Greenville. Bids are due by August 11.

Eubanks said, “There is no risk to the city.” He was unanimously given permission to proceed with the request by the city.

The next Standing Committee meeting is on August 2. The Planning Commission meets on July 26 at 5 p.m. and the City Council convenes on July 18^th at 7 p.m.