Officials with the city of Dawsonville and Etowah Water and Sewer Authority said they made headway last week in discussions to resolve a months-long water service dispute.

Both groups plan to meet again Sep. 28 to resume talks over which entity will provide water to the proposed Atlanta Motorsports complex in western Dawson County.

“We’re heading in the right direction,” said Calvin Byrd, mayor pro-tem.

Byrd said those who attended the Aug. 25 session will present information to city council members at their September meeting.

Linda Townley, chairman of the authority’s board, said the group will discuss the matter with its members.

Because the Aug. 25 meeting had just two members from the authority board and two from the city, it was closed to the public and no formal action could be taken.

The city and authority, which have separate water customers and service areas, have exchanged several letters addressing the divisive issue.

Townley said the Aug. 25 meeting “was productive” and signaled “the start of communication between Etowah and the city.”

Byrd said the meeting ensured “an open line of communication with each other to mend any fences that may have been broken.”

The site of the motorsports park and some surrounding property was annexed into the city in 2006.

According to motorsports park construction documents, which city officials approved March 8, a water line running through the property is “proposed by the city of Dawsonville.”

According to Brooke Anderson, the authority’s general manager, the city and authority entered into a contract in 1989 that limits Dawsonville’s water and sewer service area to a boundary that circles its perimeter.

The authority’s service area, he said, lies outside the circle.

The city council’s next scheduled meeting is at 5 p.m. Sept. 13 in city hall.

The authority’s next scheduled meeting is at 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in the authority’s office on Hwy. 53.