IN BRIEF: The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners approved $22,000 more today towards a water rate study by Raftelis rather than the $32,000 amount for the cost overrun discussed at last week's work session.

Rockdale Water Resources Director Dwight Wicks said the change order for the additional costs on the water rate study was submitted back in October and that he had tried for four months to get the change order on the BOC agenda. "The work was allowed to proceed, which I admit was a mistake" and a miscommunication, said Wicks. The $32,000 originally cited was an estimated amount, he explained.

Commissioner Oz Nesbitt said "I certainly do appreciate you taking responsibility" but reiterated that once the maximum allocation for a contract has been reached, department heads must come back to the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner JaNice Van Ness added that her cell phone number was available and encouraged Wicks or other department heads to contact her to clear up communication issues.

The amount was approved in a 2-1 vote, with Van Ness and Chairman Richard Oden voting for and Nesbitt voting against.

The BOC also approved the appointment of a new member to the Water and Sewer Authority, Craig Mims, in a unanimous vote. Mims is the public works director of Norcross, was briefly a member of the Rockdale stormwater task force and is a Rockdale resident.

The seat was vacated by former member Tom Fox. A previous nomination of Tom Harrison, who has worked in the water and sewer industry and also ran against Nesbitt for the Post I Commission seat, was not approved.