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Highlands Today

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Consolidating utilities is an issue worth further consideration

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 20, 2009

Would a regional utility better serve people in parts of Highlands County, or are numerous smaller utilities the best way to meet growth issues? This question will be part of discussions for the town of Lake Placid and the county in the coming days and weeks. We believe it's a good issue to bring up and the right time to find the answer.

Highlands County Administrator Michael Wright tossed out the idea of consolidating utilities in the Lake Placid area when talking with the town council. He said that most of the growth that eventually is coming to the county will be in the southern part, in and around Lake Placid.

Currently about 60 independent utility systems serve various subdivisions. He said it might make sense for a unified utility district. Of course, that would be up to Lake Placid and the county.

Ramon Gavarrete, county engineer, said it might be more cost effective to have infrastructure improvements made to one district, rather than many districts all upgrading. The proposed district would be made up of houses between Lake Josephine and State Road 70.

Discussion of such a district is in preliminary stages, and plenty would need to be worked out for it ever to go forward. It's impossible to say if this is the best solution until more facts are in, but it's worth a look.

Lake Placid Town Council members haven't shut the door on the idea, but say their only consideration is how it affects residents of Lake Placid. We understand that sentiment, since that is their constituency.

It also makes sense to stay open minded about consolidating utilities. What our county doesn't need is more failing sewage systems that have to be rescued by cities and the county. That's happened enough to know it's a bad and expensive way to go.

Consideration of this issue should be interesting, and certainly more twists and turns will develop as it's studied and debated. It's good to have the discussion, though, and should benefit everyone concerned.

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