Five Candidates Seek Election to SUD Board
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Dec. 13 meeting, the Sewanee Utility District Board of Commissioners approved a slate of five candidates for the two open seats on the board: Brandi Henley, Johnny Hughes, Donnie McBee, John Moos, and commissioner Paul Evans, who will seek reelection. The two open seats will be awarded to the two candidates who receive the most votes. SUD customers may vote during regular business hours from Jan. 3 to Jan. 25, the date of the next meeting when votes will be counted. Information about the candidates will appear on the Messenger’s website, and then in the print edition after the break.
Updating the board on finances, SUD manager Ben Beavers said year-to-date total revenue was slightly above budget due to water tap sales and expenses were 5 percent under budget. Beavers expects SUD to finish the year with “a positive net position in the $10,000-$30,000 range.”
Reporting on operations, Beavers said lightning strikes caused two major leaks resulting in a 90,000 gallon water loss. SUD shut off the water until the leaks were located and some customers were without water for a short time. “One leak we didn’t find until the next morning,” Beavers said. “It was pouring down rain…Four customers were without water overnight. We gave up at 1:30 a.m. and were back at it at 7 a.m.” Beavers praised the SUD crew. “The guys did a great job.” The chlorine odor finally enabled SUD to locate the leak location.