Commissioner Jim McGuffey says he is tired of Coweta County serving as a “whipping boy” for Newnan Utilities.

McGuffey used Tuesday's County Commission meeting to issue a call for a meeting of minds between the Coweta County Commission and Newnan Utilities.

He took exception to recent statements by Newnan Utilities director Dennis McEntire about the county's reluctance to work together on joint water projects.

McGuffey explained the county explored the option of drawing water from West Point Lake in 1997 as a way to increase the county's water capacity to 20 million gallons a day.

When Newnan Utilities didn't pursue the efforts, the county started seeking additional water resources from Spalding and Fayette counties.

“The only progress on obtaining additional water has been through the efforts of the Coweta County Commission,” McGuffey said.

With water becoming a more precious resource, governments are scrambling to find additional sources. McGuffey suggested that the governing boards from the county and Newnan Utilities sit down to discuss the situation.

The other commissioners agreed with him and said the meeting should include staff, but only for informational purposes.

County Administrator Theron Gay said he would contact Newnan Utilities and set up a date for the meeting.

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