Resaca leaders are preparing for the second and most expensive phase of the town’s sewerage project, hopeful that grant money will cover a majority of the $2.6 million bill.

Leaders are still uncertain about how much grant money the town will receive from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the second phase.

Likewise, it is undetermined what portion of the funds will come from the USDA grant and what will come from loans, which would gave to be repaid.

And with a budget facing a potential $50,000 shortfall from the loss of Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) revenues, leaders are determined to complete the project with as little out of pocket cost as possible.

Bob Peoples of Peoples & Quigley, the engineering firm heading up the sewerage project, said at a public hearing Tuesday that the preliminary paperwork is in place to move forward with the second phase.

All that is needed now is funding.

“We hope to get a significant grant and a loan for the difference,” he said.

Construction of the first phase is almost finished, he said, indicating it could be completed by the end of this month.

The first phase included a master pump station, which would connect the town of Resaca to the City of Calhoun’s sewer system.

“The second phase is going to continue the trunk line into the center of town and add collection sewage to the residences and buildings within that area,” Peoples said.

“This second phase, which serves the immediate downtown is meant to be just that. We’re hopeful that it will be the nucleus for providing growth and improving living conditions in that area.”

Councilmember Mitch Reed implored the 20 or so Resaca residents in attendance at the meeting to sign up for the sewerage during the construction phase.

“If everyone will hookup (during construction), we have come to an arrangement with Calhoun where you will not pay the $2,150 fee for the tap fee,” he said. “If you come back in six months or a year, you will have to pay the tap.”

Peoples said he hopes that the lines will be buried in the right-of-ways as much as possible but said some easement agreements will have to be made.

The taps will be run to the property lines and then the homeowner will be responsible for connecting it to the home.

Homeowners who simply have the tap but chose not to use the sewerage service will pay a “minimum fee” — to be determined by the City of Calhoun.

Those who sign up and use the service will pay the minimum fee plus the cost of monthly usage.

In business conducted during the council’s regularly scheduled meeting:

 Council members agreed to apply a $25 fee to citations to offset court operating costs. These fees will be added to tickets immediately.

 Council members voted to adopt Gordon County’s animal control ordinance. The biggest benefit, council members said, is that Resaca residents can dial 911 for animal control issues.

 Members agreed to pay C&S Construction, the company responsible for the first phase of sewerage construction, $82,497.43 for services provided. The payment came from Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.