By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Commissioners unanimously have approved the sale of more than $4.5 million in bonds for Water District V.

The loans are needed to pay for construction of waterlines, a water tank and pump station in Water District V, which includes parts of Dothan where a 300-plus unit housing development is planned.

The overall cost of the project includes three separate contracts, one of which involves construction of water lines and was awarded to Goodyear Construction at roughly $2.7 million.

The company’s owner, however, died unexpectedly in March and what will happen now is unclear.

A few commissioners questioned the $4.5 million.

Engineer Adam Kiker with Hobbs Upchurch and Associates pointed out it was the sum of three separate bids.

“We have to pay bonds back but we have to send them back if we don’t approve them,” County Manager Jim Varner said.

“Year after year, Rural Development has said if the money is not spent it’s going back to Washington,” Commissioner Lynwood Norris said.

Officials expect revenue from a prison under construction near Tabor City to make the district financially self-supporting.

The approval of the bonds is based on an April 29, 2001 referendum.