The Fayette County Board of Education is edging closer to let Tyrone take care of the system’s sewerage needs.

On Monday night, the board agreed to earmark $750,000 towards connecting to Tyrone’s system and getting out of the sewer business. The system currently spends $150,000 in maintenance costs for the Sandy Creek facility, and costs are continuing to escalate as the system ages.

Finance Director Lee Davis explained the funds would be coming from additional money the school system received from the state this year, when austerity cuts weren’t as bad as the school system feared.

“If you decide not to do this option, the money would be placed back in the reserve funds,” said Davis.

Tyrone is offering the system the option of connecting to the system and paying $8.45 per 1,000 gallons used. Integrated Science and Engineering studied the proposal and determined the school system uses approximately 800,000 gallons per month, which would translate to a bill of $6,760 from Tyrone.

But the memo from ISE said Town Manager Barry Amos said the the sewer rate could be reduced to between $4.95-$5.15 if the school system hooks up to the system. If the lower rates are implemented, the school system would pay between $3,960 and $4,120 per month.

ISE officials estimate it would cost $500,000 to build a pump station for the facility and $130,000 to decommission the Jenkins Road facility.

The memo also indicates school officials should also consider the ownership and operation of the pump station in negotiations.

“We recommend the FCBOE require Tyrone to own and operate the pump station after it is placed in operation. This will place the liability for operation on the town of Tyrone,” the memo read.

School officials said Monday night a decision would occur after a comprehensive study is finished.

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