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Poseyville council orders more study on water fluoridation, authorizes gas cost review
Summary
Council heard a presentation on drinking-water fluoridation, agreed to gather additional information on maintaining 0.6 ppm fluoride (estimated treatment cost $1,000/year) and authorized USDI to review outdated operational components of the town's gas tracker rate.
Council President Justin Rutledge and town officials on June 17 discussed updates to Poseyville's water and gas utility rules and rates while deferring final decisions pending additional analysis.
Utility Superintendent Jeremy Farrar told the council the town currently maintains fluoride at 0.6 parts per million and estimated annual treatment costs at about $1,000, excluding administrative time and equipment maintenance. Farrar presented the pros and cons of fluoridation and asked staff to provide further data for a future decision. Clerk-Treasurer Jodie Rankin will compile the additional information and return it to the council for review.
Farrar also introduced a draft Water Use Ordinance intended to replace a 1931 statute. He said the draft would cross-reference rate and fee ordinances to improve clarity for partners and the public and will be circulated to council members before legal review.
On gas rates, Farrar and staff explained the rate has two parts: a market-driven tracker cost and a fixed operational cost. Officials said the operational cost figures had not been updated in several years and may date back to 2015, making a review necessary. The council authorized the town to engage USDI to review and update operational cost figures; the motion carried with Council President Rutledge voting no. Separately, the council approved a motion to maintain current gas rates for June, July and August to avoid sudden seasonal increases (Rutledge opposed).
The council took no final action on fluoridation or the water ordinance; both items will return once staff provides additional detail and legal review is complete.
The Utilities discussion was informational and produced two staff follow-ups: (1) the Clerk-Treasurer will assemble supplemental information on fluoridation costs and implications; (2) the town will ask USDI to provide updated operational cost figures for the gas rate.
