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5. PRESENTATION – UTILITIES SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY <br />UTILITY SERVICES DIRECTOR ERIK OLSON <br />Director Olson advised that he is responsible for both the Utilities Department and <br />the Solid Waste Disposal District (a copy of report is on file in the office of the Clerk to the Board). <br />His comprehensive report advised of all the facilities, their purpose, and that the Utilities <br />Department is basically run as a business and is comprised of operations, water production plants, <br />and wastewater processing. Indian River County is ahead of the curve because we have a <br />reclaimed water system. Our reverse osmosis water system is the best of the best. He introduced <br />the unsung heroes, staff members from water and wastewater systems, and emphasized the <br />“family” of the department. He specified that the employees he introduced were at work after the <br /> <br />hurricanes to keep the County’s utilities operating. At the conclusion of his presentation, he <br />introduced Polly Kratman for information on her area of responsibility. <br />Solid Waste Disposal District Managing Director Polly Kratman followed with <br />another comprehensive report while displaying photographs of the landfill, 5 convenience centers, <br />hours of operation, hazardous waste procedures, yard waste, construction and demolition debris, <br />recycling, how fees are determined, the impact of the volume of hurricane debris on the landfill, <br />compliance with regulatory agencies, and that the entire department is operated as an enterprise <br />fund. <br />Director Olson then told of the current status of the landfill and plans for expansion, <br />the land purchased, and the 5-year plan for the SWDD. He looked back at 2004 as a year to be <br />remembered because of the impact of the hurricanes not only on the community but also on the <br />landfill and he credited the employees for keeping the systems working. <br />Chairman Lowther was pleased to note that the County’s utility system did not lose <br />water pressure during the two recent hurricanes. <br />Commissioner Wheeler believed that Indian River County is a statewide leader in <br />operating the utilities systems as enterprise funds by charging the users and not the taxpayers. <br />The Chairman thanked Director Olson for the informative and interesting report. <br />January 4, 2005 <br />4 <br /> <br />