Page 27 - Nov/Dec 2015 Vol. 33 No. 5
P. 27
what we need in order to build, operate, ness is the point of advocacy. I use the scenario, both state and national, is pres-
and maintain. Advocacy doesn’t necessar- term true cost because often the true cost ently a hot topic, the same can be said for
ily mean lobbying in the political sense. It of building, operating, and maintaining many other funds. Water, wastewater, and
can be as simple as speaking up on behalf our nation’s infrastructures gets clouded, other systems have also been plagued with
of what you and your departments do miscommunicated or misconstrued by ever-increasing operating and mainte-
every day. Or it may mean simply helping underfunded departments that some- nance costs that often exceed the available
to educate your customers, community, how always seem to “do more with less.” funding. Raising tax rates and utility rates
and elected officials about public works. We truly do a great job of stretching our will never be a popular solution, but often
budgets to keep things going as best we these are the only feasible solutions. That’s
According to the APWA website, “Over can. This is admirable. However, as a where advocacy can play a huge role. I
100 years ago, people involved in public nation, we have reached the point where have watched recently with great interest
works realized they had expertise to share our resources can no longer keep up with how the current highway funding sce-
and much to learn from one another.” the needs of the systems we operate and nario has developed into one of the major
That phrase continues to epitomize what maintain. discussions at both the state and national
APWA means to over 28,000 public works levels. Several organizations, including
professionals. We are an organization For instance, let’s take a look at the state APWA and TCAPWA, have begun an ad-
based on learning and sharing. We need fuel tax. The tax on a gallon of gasoline in vocacy effort to educate the general public
to take this to the next level and begin to Tennessee hasn’t changed since 1989. It is and policymakers about current funding
share and teach others outside our profes- presently 21.4 cents per gallon. While the needs. If we educate consumers about the
sion what public works does on a daily cost of equipment, materials, and labor immediate need and the long term con-
basis to make life comfortable and livable. has increased dramatically in 16 years, the sequences, we stand a far better chance of
actual buying power of fuel tax revenue seeing these issues addressed and funding
At the recent APWA Congress (PWX) has reportedly decreased to an estimated levels increased to meet the need.
in Phoenix, retired United States Navy 11 cents due to inflation. Couple that with
SEAL and author of the book “Lone the fact vehicles now average 35 miles I often hear that, as public sector
Survivor” Marcus Luttrell told the general per gallon compared to the fuel economy employees, we’re not allowed to lobby
session attendees simply, “We couldn’t standards of 26.5 mpg for 1989 passenger or persuade our government officials.
live without ya’ll. Period.” That is exactly cars. By 2025 fuel efficiency standards will Without wading into that discussion,
the kind of message that we all need to require the U.S. auto fleet average 54.5 I will simply say that we should all be
advocate. mpg. This is simply not sustainable. allowed to offer information and to
Educating the decision makers as to While the current highway funding Continued on page 28
what we do and the true cost of our busi-
ENGINEERING • PLANNING
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION
OPERATIONS SERVICES
RATE STUDIES
Providing Professional Engineering Services
For Your Water, Wastewater, Storm Drainage,
And Environmental Projects
2 International Plaza • Suite 401 • Nashville, TN 37217
615/366-6088 • 615/366-6203 (FAX)
View online at tnpublicworks.com 27
and maintain. Advocacy doesn’t necessar- term true cost because often the true cost ently a hot topic, the same can be said for
ily mean lobbying in the political sense. It of building, operating, and maintaining many other funds. Water, wastewater, and
can be as simple as speaking up on behalf our nation’s infrastructures gets clouded, other systems have also been plagued with
of what you and your departments do miscommunicated or misconstrued by ever-increasing operating and mainte-
every day. Or it may mean simply helping underfunded departments that some- nance costs that often exceed the available
to educate your customers, community, how always seem to “do more with less.” funding. Raising tax rates and utility rates
and elected officials about public works. We truly do a great job of stretching our will never be a popular solution, but often
budgets to keep things going as best we these are the only feasible solutions. That’s
According to the APWA website, “Over can. This is admirable. However, as a where advocacy can play a huge role. I
100 years ago, people involved in public nation, we have reached the point where have watched recently with great interest
works realized they had expertise to share our resources can no longer keep up with how the current highway funding sce-
and much to learn from one another.” the needs of the systems we operate and nario has developed into one of the major
That phrase continues to epitomize what maintain. discussions at both the state and national
APWA means to over 28,000 public works levels. Several organizations, including
professionals. We are an organization For instance, let’s take a look at the state APWA and TCAPWA, have begun an ad-
based on learning and sharing. We need fuel tax. The tax on a gallon of gasoline in vocacy effort to educate the general public
to take this to the next level and begin to Tennessee hasn’t changed since 1989. It is and policymakers about current funding
share and teach others outside our profes- presently 21.4 cents per gallon. While the needs. If we educate consumers about the
sion what public works does on a daily cost of equipment, materials, and labor immediate need and the long term con-
basis to make life comfortable and livable. has increased dramatically in 16 years, the sequences, we stand a far better chance of
actual buying power of fuel tax revenue seeing these issues addressed and funding
At the recent APWA Congress (PWX) has reportedly decreased to an estimated levels increased to meet the need.
in Phoenix, retired United States Navy 11 cents due to inflation. Couple that with
SEAL and author of the book “Lone the fact vehicles now average 35 miles I often hear that, as public sector
Survivor” Marcus Luttrell told the general per gallon compared to the fuel economy employees, we’re not allowed to lobby
session attendees simply, “We couldn’t standards of 26.5 mpg for 1989 passenger or persuade our government officials.
live without ya’ll. Period.” That is exactly cars. By 2025 fuel efficiency standards will Without wading into that discussion,
the kind of message that we all need to require the U.S. auto fleet average 54.5 I will simply say that we should all be
advocate. mpg. This is simply not sustainable. allowed to offer information and to
Educating the decision makers as to While the current highway funding Continued on page 28
what we do and the true cost of our busi-
ENGINEERING • PLANNING
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION
OPERATIONS SERVICES
RATE STUDIES
Providing Professional Engineering Services
For Your Water, Wastewater, Storm Drainage,
And Environmental Projects
2 International Plaza • Suite 401 • Nashville, TN 37217
615/366-6088 • 615/366-6203 (FAX)
View online at tnpublicworks.com 27
