There is no such thing as a magic crystal ball.
No one could have imagined the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts across nearly every aspect of society.
But while the future is impossible to predict, it is important to plan for years to come and that is exactly what the Highlands board of commissioners and town staff are doing.
After spending the past several years working on often expensive paving projects, the town has just about caught up on the needed roadwork. With a big assist from the NC Department of Transportation, which paved Main Street and is in the process of paving US 64 and NC 28, the town can step back from paving and look at other future priorities.
During the town’s opening budget work session in March, public works director Lamar Nix unveiled an aggressive list of capital items aimed at overhauling the town’s water and sewer infrastructure. In Nix’ mind, the time to start thinking about the water system’s future is now.
After making some capital cuts, it appears the board of commissioners agrees with Nix’ assessment. Included in the capital budget for 2021-22 is a $670,000 project to replace water lines on Moorewood Road. There is also $75,000 budgeted for a generator for the Little Bear Pen pump station. Over $1 million is budgeted for equipment, tank cleaning, lab upgrades and pump rebuilds at the water treatment and wastewater treatment plant.
No one on the board enjoys the thought of sinking millions of dollars into water and sewer infrastructure over the next few years, but it has to be done. Clean water is essential not only for daily life but also for the continued sustainability of Highlands and making upgrades over the multiple budgets allows the town to catch up on an outdated system much the way it caught up on paving.
Having made it through what appears to be the worst of the COVID-19 era without any major hits to the town’s finances it’s the perfect time to spend on capital that will last for decades.
Predicting the future is impossible, but being prepared is prudent.