by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At its Nov. 27 meeting, the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties (SUD) approved the 2013 budget. The commissioners also discussed whether SUD should continue to add fluoride to the water supply and invited community input before it makes a decision.
In presenting an overview of the budget, SUD manager Ben Beavers said SUD employees would receive a 4 percent raise, but total operating expenses would remain the same as in 2012. The raise for 2013 was funded by shifting money from areas where expenses were lower than anticipated in 2012.
SUD’s decision to implement automatic meter reading (AMR) resulted in a significant increase in the capital improvements budget compared to 2012. AMR will save SUD money by reducing unaccounted-for water loss due to faulty meters by helping with leak detection and by freeing SUD employees to perform other tasks. The total cost of implementing AMR, estimated at $350,000, will be spread over two years, with $250,000 budgeted in 2013 and $100,000 budgeted in 2014. Rather than borrow money for the AMR upgrade , SUD will finance the project by drawing on cash reserves, slightly reducing the budget for inflow and infiltration repair in 2013 and with a modest rate increase spread over the next five years.
To pay for infrastructure upgrades and repair and to plan for future water supply needs, SUD’s long-range plan calls for a 4 percent rate increase annually. In 2011 and 2012, SUD did not raise rates. The proposed increase for 2013 is 2.5 percent, 5 percent for 2014 and an annual 3 percent increase for years 2015–17.
The commissioners approved a total expense budget of $1,703,997 for 2013.
Beavers introduced a discussion about fluoridation, the practice of adding fluoride to drinking water. SUD’s fluoride supply is low, and SUD will need to purchase the additive in the near future if it plans to continue the practice, Beavers explained. The fluoridation chemicals and process cost SUD $6,000 per year. Beavers noted that two years ago, SUD lowered its fluoride input to 0.7 ppm in keeping with new EPA recommendations. While research has shown fluoride significantly decreases tooth decay, consuming too much fluoride leeches calcium from bones.
Referring to the EPA revised recommendation on fluoridation, Beavers said that people receive fluoride from many more sources than they did in the past. In addition to the fluoride in drinking water in many communities, people are also exposed to fluoride in toothpaste, beverages made with fluoridated water and food raised with fluoridated water. The SUD board will continue the fluoride discussion at the December meeting. Comments from the community may be sent to <fluoride@sewaneeutility.org>.
In other business, the commissioners approved manager Beavers’ surplus list of scrap iron and unneeded equipment, including pumps, scales, a generator, used pipe, a trailer, backhoe bucket and other items. The surplus items will be offered for sale and advertised in the Sewanee Mountain Messenger and the Winchester Herald-Chronicle.
The commissioners tentatively scheduled a working session to discuss the constructed wetlands proposal for 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 3, at the SUD office. Budget figures for the project will be reviewed.
The next meeting of the SUD board of commissioners is scheduled for Dec. 18, the third Tuesday of the month, rather than the regular meeting day.
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