No Rate Increase for 8th Consecutive Year!
Published: Oct 28, 2024
Greer CPW Commissioners recently approved a $112 million dollar operating budget which included no rate increases for Greer CPW utilities in fiscal year 2025.
“We have worked hard to maintain safe and reliable utilities and keep our rates stable. Here recently, we have been able to absorb the costs associated with Tropical Storm Helene without impacting the rates our customers pay. Year after year, our staff continues to use technology and automation to reduce operational costs, so our customers do not have to endure the constant rate changes that you find with other providers outside our service area,” said Gene Gibson, Greer CPW Chairman.
The announcement is the eighth consecutive year with no rate increases for customers in any of the four utilities. Greer CPW utilities continue to offer some of the lowest rates in the region.
“It is important customers understand the value of publicly owned utilities. Having better control at a local level allows us to be responsive to our customers’ and systems need without impacting the quality of service our customers have come to expect from us,” said Marc Regier, Greer CPW General Manager.
The budget also included several large capital improvement projects:
- A new 12” Transmission Gas line, a Gate Station and a new Transmission Lateral
- Maple Creek Wastewater Treatment Expansion
- Completion of the Advanced Meter Infrastructure project
- Wastewater rehab and assessment projects
Greer CPW Wins National Award
Published: Jul 24, 2023
The Natural Gas Department at Greer Commission of Public Works (Greer CPW) recently received the System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) silver level award.
"I am honored to accept the prestigious national award on behalf of our team of dedicated natural gas professionals who are committed to maintaining a safe and productive work environment," said Perry J. Williams, Chairman, Greer CPW.
The Soar award is presented by the American Public Gas Association (APGA) and recognizes publicly owned untilities for system integrity, system improvement, employee safety and workforce development.
Williams Appointed to Public Gas Policy Council
Published: May 1, 2012
Perry Williams has been appointed to the American Public Gas Association's (AGA) Public Gas Policy Council serving on the Government Relations Committee and the Legislative Subcommittee.
Williams is Greer Commissioner of Public Works. "I'm passionate about the future of natural gas in our everyday lives,” Williams said. “From the implementation of compressed natural gas vehicles to gas powered heat pumps that fuel our air conditioners."
The policy committee is responsible for the establishment and overall direction of AGA's legislative and regulatory advocacy activities. The legislative committee serves as the advocacy arm for AGA’s position on issues before the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch (excluding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).
"It's an exciting time in our country where new technologies have provided an abundant supply of natural gas. If properly managed, we can completely eliminate our need for foreign oil imports and that will enhance our Country's security."
Read this article and more Greer News at GreerToday.com >>
Williams makes bid for CPW re-election official
Published: Apr 3, 2012
Perry Williams formalized his intentions to seek another term as Greer Commission of Public Works commissioner as he filed for re-election this morning at Greer City Hall.
Williams held a press conference in front of City Park’s signature fountains. “I choose this spot because it was where the old Lewis’ Drive-In was,” he reminisced. “I love Greer and I feel a responsibility toward public service.”
His campaign card has a photo of thousands of citizens in downtown Greer during the city’s simpler times. “I’ve always said a big crowd of people in downtown Greer is a good thing,” Perry said.
The municipal elections are scheduled for July 24. Filing ends at noon on April 20. Perry announced last month at a city council meeting his candidacy for re-election to the CPW board of commissioners and has had his Web site up for the past month. “I’ve been prepared to run for a long time – since I was elected (May, 2009),” Williams said. “With the county election filing falling between the city’s elections I wanted to wait.”
Perry’s 3-year term at CPW includes construction of the 1.5 million gallon Pleasant Grove Elevated Water Tower with a 24 inch water main and the new electrical sub-station, located to the south and north of Greer, respectively.
“During my first term in office, I have worked diligently on behalf of the citizens of Greer to hold the line and not raise utility rates during these tough economic times.” Williams’ statement read. He was the lone commissioner to vote no last December to a two percent CPW pay raise and a 5 percent rate increase for electricity and water.
“Our operating budget has been pared over the last three years from a high of over $80 million in 2009 to less than $73 million this year,” Perry said. “Simultaneously, cash on hand has risen from $8 million to over $19 million today.
“This has been accomplished, not by raising the utility rates, but rather by working with my fellow Commissioners and our General Manager to improve the operation and cut wasteful spending.”
The Commission has management, budgetary, debt management, rate setting and fiscal responsibility for Greer CPW.
Williams, a native of Greer, was elected to the board of commissioners in May 2009. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and is the president of an international textile consulting firm, which he founded in 1999. He served on Greer City Council 1988 to 2002. Williams is on the Board of Directors for the Greer Development Corporation, a member of Partnership for Tomorrow, and vice president of the Greer Board of Trustees. He is a 2011 graduate of the South Carolina Economic Development Institute.
Read this article and more Greer News at GreerToday.com >>
Greer municipal elections scheduled July 24
Published: Feb 28, 2012
The Greer municipal elections will be held on Tuesday, July 24. Mayor Rick Danner and city council will announce the election date and timing for candidates to file at tonight's regularly scheduled meeting.
Council will give the measure its first reading tonight and it becomes effective after the second reading scheduled for March 13.
The Mayor, council members from districts 1, 3 and 5 and a commissioner of public works will be contested in the unprecedented mid-summer election. The incumbents are Mayor Rick Danner and council members Jay Arrowood (District 1), Kimberly Bookert (District 3) and Wryley Bettis (District 5). Perry Williams, commissioner for Greer Commission of Public Works, will also have his position up for re-election.
Candidates can file for the contested offices beginning noon on March 21 through noon of April 20. A statement of candidacy of the seat or office the individual is seeking will be filed with the City Clerk and an electronically filed Statement of Economic interest must be submitted with the State Ethics Commission.
The city of Greer postponed the general election scheduled for Nov. 8 last year to allow council to redraw the boundaries of the districts to reflect changes in the population based on the 2010 census. The U.S. Department of Justice notified the city on Feb. 6 it would not object to the 2011 redistricting plan and revised maps of the contested districts. Redistricting occurs every 10 years based on each decade's census data.
The election can't be held in June since the state primary is June 12 and runoffs on June 26.
Read this article and more Greer News at GreerToday.com >>
Gibson voted CPW board chairman; Reynolds honored
Published: Jan 23, 2012
Eugene Gibson was nominated as chairman of the three-person Greer Commission of Public Works today at the monthly utility meeting.
Perry Williams’ two-year term expired Dec. 31 and Greer CPW mandates rotating the chairman of the board. “It’s been a long tradition of rotating the chair,” Williams said.
Commissioner Jeff Howell nominated Gibson, Williams seconded and the roll call was held with a 3-0 approval.
“I will do my best to fill the shoes of the past chairman and continue to hold our meetings in orderly fashion,” said Gibson. He and Howell also praised Williams for a job well done.
Gibson has been a CPW commissioner for over 30 years and has served “at least six times as commissioner,” he said.
CPW Finance Manager Chuck Reynolds received, for the sixth consecutive year, Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Greer CPW by the Government Finance Officers Association. The 2011 budget was $75 million.
Reynolds routinely reports the financial report to the CPW commissioners and is often applauded for his department’s thoroughness. During budget reviews Reynolds is often in the forefront helping guide CPW and commissioners distribute funding.
“We are overwhelmed with financial information,” commissioner Gibson said in presenting Reynolds the award. “Some in the public forget what CPW does, other than turn power on and off. They don’t recognize what Chuck and his staff do.”
“It has helped our department to win the award because it keeps our standard high,” Reynolds said. “The auditors routinely send suggestions that have helped us, too. Now their correspondence is down to one page and we’re just tweaking things.”
In other CPW news on a light schedule:
- Amendments were approved for updating the Agreement of Responsibility for Compliance with Certain Mandatory Reliability Standards between Greer CPW and PMPA.
- Seven of 15 motors, obtained through a grant request, has been installed.
- The truck shed is under construction. Walls are being constructed. Trucks with reservoirs will be stored in the shed. Cunningham Waters has the contract.
- Greer is reportedly in a severe drought, down from extreme. The recent rains have put water levels ahead for January. Lakes Cunningham and Robinson are maintaining a full status.
- Executive session was held to discuss proposed contractual agreements. No decisions were made, according to General Manager Nick Stegall.
Read this article and more Greer News at GreerToday.com >>
Perry Williams Completes Economic Development Institute
Published: Dec 2, 2011
For Immediate Release
COLUMBIA, S.C. – December 2, 2011 – Perry Williams, along with 38 other local leaders and development professionals from across South Carolina, completed the 2011 South Carolina Economic Development Institute on Friday, November 11. Institute attendees received their Certificates of Completion during the final day of the 2011 Institute held at BMW’s Zentrum located in Greer.
The 2011 Institute participants traveled to different locations throughout the state that have been successful in community development and attracting and expanding their business and industrial base. Attendees gained insight into issues relating to: water and wastewater infrastructure, available industrial or business buildings, and other important community development components necessary to attract investment.
The Institute is a partnership between the South Carolina Department of Commerce and the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association (SCEDA). The program emphasizes essential elements necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy and educates supporters of economic development on emerging trends in community and economic development.
Perry Williams Appointed To GDC Board of Directors
Published: Mar 2, 2011
(Greer, South Carolina) The Greer Development Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Perry J. Williams to the 2011 Greer Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Mr. Williams is the President and C.E.O. of Perry J. Williams, Inc., an international textile consulting firm. Williams served on Greer City Council from 1998 to 2002 and is a graduate of the South Carolina Municipal Elected Officials Institute. Mr. Williams serves as Vice-Chairman of The Greer Trust Board and is a member of The Partnership for Tomorrow, serving on the Strategic Planning Task Force. Mr. Williams served on the PFT Implementation Cabinet from 2000 to 2002. He was a founding member of the Greer Historic Review Board, later known as The Greer Board of Architectural Review, serving as Chairman. Mr. Williams is also a currently serving as a Commissioner of Greer Commission of Public Works.
Wryley Bettis, Greer City Council Member and current GDC Chairman, said, "We are very fortunate to have Perry Williams on the GDC board. I have seen his passion for Greer for many years, as a City Councilman, as a member of the Greer Trust board that oversaw the design and building of the new City Hall and Police and Courts Complex, and now in his capacity as a member of the board of the Commission of Public Works. Perry's life experiences, his business expertise and his desire to see Greer continue to be an even greater place to live, work and play will be assets to all of us."
Perry Williams will bring new ideas and experiences to the Greer Development Corporation and we are pleased to have him involved in our organization.
For more information on the Greer Development Corporation please call (864) 416-0125 or visit our website at www.greerdevelopment.com.
CPW election to decide third board member
Published: Apr 21, 2009
SOURCE: Greer Citizen
Candidates for the vacant Greer Commission of Public Works commissioner seat met at City Hall Thursday morning for a forum, hoping to shore up any last minute votes for today's special election.
Voting began at 7 this morning between Leland Burch, Robert Lynn and Perry Williams to join Jeff Howell and Gene Gibson on the CPW board. Polls close at 7 p.m.
A candidate winning a majority of votes will prevent a runoff May 5.
The candidates shared their respective plans for the seat, fielding a set of prepared questions and several written questions from the audience.
Lynn, retired president of Citizens Building and Loan, said he has seen the expansion of CPW and realizes its involvement in the city's growth. "I'm interested in continuing that growth that the commissioners have already started," he said. "That's why I am seeking the position."
Burch, editor emeritus of The Greer Citizen, believes his experience covering CPW for the newspaper and involvement in public service sets him apart from Lynn and Williams.
"I know how decisions are made and what questions to ask," Burch said.
Williams, a former Greer City Councilman and owner of a textile consulting firm, claims an in-depth knowledge of the four utilities offered by CPW and "sound, innovative ideas to help lower utility bills."
"I can't make any promises, but I will work very hard for you and continue to seek reliable ways of getting cheap and efficient energy and a cost effective strategy to ensure our future," Lynn said.
"As a member of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport commission, I have been a part of planning and carrying out some $50 million in infrastructure expansions and recruiting BMW manufacturing," Burch said. "I've devoted my entire life to serving the community."
"In a time when politicians take their office for granted, and seem to be constantly on the campaign trail, there are desperately hard-working elected officials with enthusiasm and dedication to the job at hand," Williams said. "(There needs to be) someone who will put the citizens of Greer first in the thoughts and decisions. I'm that man."
Williams Wants Cost Cutting
Published: Apr 9, 2009
CPW candidate Williams wants cost−cutting
By Nan Lundeen
GREATER GREER NEWS
Perry J. Williams, a candidate for the Commission of Public Works board, advocates finding cost−cutting measures to reduce the cost of utilities."I believe that finding innovative ways to cut waste and spending is what is needed now," Williams said.Williams, 48, a former city councilman, advocates continued growth and development to create jobs and improve the community's standard of living and quality of life. The three−member board influences Greer'seconomy because it plans for and finances future utility growth."I believe that the Commission of Public Works is and will continue to be the catalyst for growth," said Williams, the president and chief consulting officer of an international textile consulting firm.He agrees with the board's longstanding policy that only those inside city limits may receive sewer service."Low rates for waste−water treatment and high cost for infrastructure, maintenance and operations makes it prohibitive to offer these services outside of Greer," the Greer native said. Registered voters will go to the polls citywide April 21 to choose from candidates Williams, Robert Lynn and Leland E. Burch for the position formerly held by David Duncan, who resigned. Only city residents are eligible to vote, not CPW customers who live outside the city. Williams would encourage conservation. "I envision the Commission of Public Works doing a lot more to encourage energy conservation througheducation and applying technology in the form of smart meters and sensors that allow customers to constantlymonitor and control their energy consumption rather than the occasional flyer stuffed into your utility bill, "he said. The CPW's two reservoirs −− lakes Cunningham and Robinson −− are a good water−supply foundation, he said. To ensure adequate water supplies in the future, he would look to expand the water treatment plant in better times and seek innovative technologies for future water supplies as they emerge. On CPW's longstanding policy of restricting access to Lake Robinson, he said that he supports "limited additional access" to the lake."I value the fact this is our water supply, but I understand there's a lot to be said for enjoying one of our assets," he said.
