SUD Board Approves Travel Policy

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At its Dec. 15 meeting, the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties voted to approve a revised travel expense policy and an amendment to the 2016 budget, increasing the service charge for cutting off and restoring water service. The board also approved the nomination of Art Hanson as a candidate for the open commissioner’s seat.

At the November meeting, the board asked for two changes to the travel expense policy that SUD Manager Ben Beavers presented for review. The board approved the revised policy. The revisions defined circumstances when an unanticipated overnight stay would be reimbursed and added a meal allowance for day travel.

Revisiting the budget discussion at the November meeting, the board approved an amendment to the 2016 budget, increasing the service charge for cutting off service and restoring service to $25 during regular business hours and $50 after hours. The previous rate was $20 during business hours and $30 after hours. The board’s decision to raise the rate was prompted by Beavers’ report on a review of the fee charged by other utilities. SUD’s rate is low in comparison. Winchester Utilities charges $600 for this service.

Voting for the open seat in the commissioner election begins Jan. 4 and ends on Jan. 26 at the close of business hours. The ballot provides space for write-in candidates. Commissioner Hanson, who currently holds the seat, was the only SUD customer to express an interest in serving.

Reporting on operations, Beavers said unaccounted-for water loss has decreased to 15.7 percent from an average of 22–23 percent prior to SUD installing automated meter reading technology (AMR) in 2014. Unaccounted-for water loss is the difference between water produced and water registered as passing through customer meters, meaning SUD is not paid for the water. The new AMR meters more accurately record water use.

An outside contractor recently completed warranty replacement of flawed AMR meters and meter components, Beavers said. He cautioned a final assessment of the AMR meters’ role in reducing unaccounted-for water loss could not be made until the impact of the replacement meters and meter components was assessed.

For sewer customers, charges are based on metered water use. Beavers said sewer revenue had increased, which could also be a result of more accurate metering.

Heavy rainfall at the end of November resulted in a 39,000-gallon overflow at the Alto Road pumping station, Beavers said. The 2016 budget includes rehabilitation of the Alto Road facility. In the past, the Mikell Lane pumping station also overflowed frequently. SUD recently rehabilitated the Mikell Lane pumping station, and the facility performed adequately during the recent heavy rainfall.

The SUD board next meets on January 26.