In 2011, the state mandated that all drinking water systems serving more than 5,000 people must fluoridate their water, but funding cannot come from taxes or water sales revenue. Delta Dental offered to pay startup costs for every such project in the state, but a year ago it extended the funding period from May 2013 to October 2014.

Construction of Carroll-Boone’s system was to have begun last August, but was put on hold. Delta Dental offered to pay $763,000 for CBWD’s project, despite an estimated cost by MWY of $1.23 million.

The issue of fluoride has been hotly contested by many residents in the Eureka Springs area, and water operators at CBWD have gone on record as opposing it for various reasons, including worker safety.

The board will hear a financial report, which will include information on bids to do the annual audit, additional insurance coverage, the bond issue process, rebates for the cities and information on a second water allotment from Beaver Lake by the Corps of Engineers.

Also on the agenda, the board will hear updates and recommendations from MWY on bids obtained for sludge removal, review of equipment and building insurance values, review of the by-laws and the Memorandum of Understanding with the member cities and review and recommendations on equipment replacement and upgrades.

The meeting will take place Thursday, July 25, at 10 a.m. at the Freeman-Raney Water Treatment Plant on Hwy. 187, west of Eureka Springs. The public is welcome.