Lake Worth Utility Tour

Utility Director, Rebecca Mattey; Power Plant Mgr, Dave Mulvay; Safety Mgr, Michael Cooper; Water/Sewer Engineer, Walt Smyzer; Customer Service, Mgr Alvin Cooper; Conservation Mgr, Tom Rutherford; Senior Systems Operator, Walt Gill and Asst Utility Director Clay Lindstrom were there to give brief presentations on their specific departments. I probably missed someone.

This was by far, the most fascinating tour I have ever been on. I was proud of our Utility and all those with whom I met.

As they began the presentation, the power went down. It was later reported that it affected one-half of the City which indicates a 26kv feeder problem. Just a few blocks away on Collier, it was reported that their power went down around 5pm. I received various calls about power down in other areas of the City. The Utility's generator kicked in with a big boom and we got power back right away.

What I learned:

• 2.6 cents of every kilowatt we use in electric is for the Energy Conservation Program. One million dollars is in that budget with half going towards salaries.
  

• We have 26,000 electric customers.
  

• Unless we completely get off the Surficial Aquifier, SFWM will not allow us to water more than one time per week.
  

• Utility meters are assets of the City and are cleaned and calibrated every 10 years.

• We have 955 water hydrants throughout the City. We have been paying an outside company and now hydrant maintenance will be done in-house.
  

• Most of the problems we have in the Sewer is from infiltration.
  

• We have 26 local lift stations and 3 regional stations.
  

• Mattey says again that we have no debt (meaning on the building and generators I presume) and bonds were paid off. She failed to mention the Bond of May 1, 2008 in the amount of $69.925 million for the electric utility upgrade and the RO. The bonds and the related swap agreement mature on October 1, 2034. We also have a $5.1 million note for the regional sewer system. According to the Audit of 2008, we still owe $4.065 million on a revolving loan for plant expansion. There are other long-term debts.
  

• The Assistant Utility Manager says that the 26kv is not as effective as the 13.2 and the 4kv.
  

• Mattey, asked by the Chair of the FAB, Exline, whether any money has been spent on the 26kv upgrade since the Commission stopped it. She indicated only for maintenance/repair but we know that the 15kv's were/are being replaced to 25kv's.