SUD Signs TDOT Contract
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Aug. 18 meeting, the Sewanee Utility District (SUD) Board of Commissioners voted to sign a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) requiring SUD to assume financial liability for relocation of water and sewer lines in conjunction with narrowing Highway 41A. SUD hopes to receive financial assistance from the University to mitigate the estimated $315,225 cost to SUD and SUD customers.
TDOT’s decision to narrow the highway evolved in conjunction with the University pursuing its Sewanee Village Plan for the downtown area. Because narrowing the road is a TDOT project, impacted utilities are financially liable for the needed infrastructure changes, SUD manager Ben Beavers advised the board at the May meeting.
In hopes of receiving assistance in paying for relocating water and sewer lines, Beavers and SUD President Charlie Smith held a virtual conference recently with Frank Gladu who heads up the Sewanee Village initiative, and University Vice President for Finance Doug Williams.
“The University is willing to discuss a partnership,” Beavers said. “They will probably help us out with the cost, but the details are nebulous.”
Smith concurred. “I feel like there’s a good faith effort on the part of the University to work out some kind of a plan to mitigate the cost to SUD.”
The board also revisited the topic of Long-Term Financial Planning. At the July meeting, the board agreed to enter into an arrangement with the nonprofit Communities Unlimited to perform a three-part study for SUD. Beavers said the board was also considering seeking planning advice from an area accounting firm.
The at-large seat held by Smith will come open for election in January. Prospective candidates should contact Beavers at the SUD office. Commissioners need to be SUD customers. The board must select three nominees. Smith will seek reelection to a second four-year term.
Smith updated the board on the effort to amend language in the charter that established the utility which limits commissioners to two consecutive terms. The board wants the language changed to allow for unlimited consecutive terms. Amending the charter requires a legislative act. At Smith’s behest, the office of Representative Iris Rudder agreed to introduce the request in the Tennessee legislature. Smith is seeking clarification on the status of the amendment request.
The board meets next on Sept. 15.