Obtaining water service in Limestone County is now much easier after a significant overhaul of the utility’s website.

Limestone County Water & Sewer Authority CEO Daryl Williamson said new customers can now fill out an online application and submit their information directly to the customer service department. The site also allows users to attach a scan of a driver’s license, which is a requirement to sign up for service.

Those uncomfortable with submitting their information online can still print a form and mail it to the utility’s post office box.

Williamson explained the new site is also more mobile friendly as opposed to the old version. During his interview for the CEO position, he told the board updating the utility’s internet presence would be a top priority.

“We’re trying to make the process less onerous,” Williamson told members of the LCWSA board at its Feb. 23 meeting.

The site also includes a button at the top of the page for GIS mapping services. Other additions will include biographies of each of the utility board’s five members.

HR services

At the Feb. 23 meeting, the LCWSA board also approved outsourcing its human resources duties to Madison-based Rocket City HR. The board determined the work would be considered professional services, thereby circumventing a vote.

The authority has been without full-time HR capabilities since it fired its human resources manager on Oct. 27. She was one of four managers let go in what LCWSA Board Chairman Jim Moffatt described as a way to save $300,000 in salary and benefits.

Williamson said outsourcing human resources would continue to save the utility money. He explained there would be an up-front fee of $1,000 paid to Rocket City HR. When that deposit money is gone, it will charge LCWSA $100 per hour for HR-related services.

Allowing an outside vendor to handle HR paperwork would also ensure the utility follows the law in regard to handling sensitive medical information, Williamson said. The firm would also assist the utility in conducting criminal and background checks on applicants.

Williamson said personnel files would continue to be kept at the LCWSA office on U.S. 72 in a locked filing cabinet. Any medical-related documents would be stored by Rocket City HR.

Safety services

In other employee-related business, the board approved a contract with Madison-based Terrell Technical Services Inc. for safety support services for the utility’s employees. Williamson said he felt the utility was lagging behind in safety training.

The board approved spending up to $22,000 to allow Terrell Technical Services to identify current safety deficiencies and develop an OSHA-compliant corrective action plan. Once the plan is finalized, each employee would receive a copy of the plan and be required to sign off on it.

“The end goal is not to penalize employees, but to make sure everyone goes home at the end of the day,” Williamson said.

Leak detection and meter update

During an update on the utility’s leak detection program, Williamson said 65 water leaks were repaired in January. The utility has been replacing old meters with newer models that make it easier to detect leaks, and Williamson explained about 11,000 are now online.

He did tell the board there is a “possible hiccup” related to the new meters, however. About 19 were found to have duplicate serial numbers, so incorrect information is being transmitted back to the utility’s computer system.

“The bills are fine, but we’ve had to check those meters manually,” he said.

The utility is working with the meter manufacturer to remedy the problem.

Board elections

Moffatt was again elected chairman of the LCWSA board, while Johnny Hatchett was re-elected as vice chairman. Board member John Farrar retained his position as secretary and treasurer.

The Feb. 23 meeting was the last for board member Mike Hardaway, who rolled off after serving two consecutive terms. He will be replaced by Richard Robinson, who was appointed by Ben Harrison, who is Limestone County’s commissioner in District 4.

“You’ve been here through tough times and you’ve made some tough decisions,” Moffatt told Hardaway. “It’s been an honor to serve with you and it ain’t been easy. It makes it easier when you’re surrounded by people who will listen to you and speak their own mind.”

The LCWSA board will meet again at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23.