City of Hendersonville Recognizes Utilities Director Lee Smith

The City of Hendersonville is recognizing the career of Utilities Director Lee Smith, who has dedicated over eighteen years of service to Hendersonville’s Water & Sewer department. Lee Smith leaves a legacy of remarkable utility growth marked by expansion and improvements to the City's utility infrastructure. 

Since assuming the position of Utilities Director in 2005, Lee Smith has been instrumental in overseeing the growth and expansion of the City's water and sewer systems. Hendersonville's water system has grown from approximately 22,000 to over 31,000 connections, with the water system expanding from 500 to over 680 miles of pipe. Similarly, the sewer system has seen an increase from approximately 6,800 to over 10,000 connections, with the sewer system expanding from 135 to over 180 miles of pipe. 

Lee Smith's commitment to excellent service is evident in the growth of the personnel, operating budget, and assistance programs during his tenure. The number of full-time employees increased from 66 to 96, and the operating budget grew from $14.2 million to $24.2 million. Noteworthy assistance programs initiated by Smith include the Helping Hand Outreach (H₂0) program, the Water Conservation Rebate Program, and the successful leak detection and inflow infiltration reduction programs. 

Reflecting on his tenure, Lee Smith remarked, "I am passionate about my work and enjoy it every day. Collaborating with our employees and City departments has made my job exciting and fulfilling. Serving the City of Hendersonville and our customers has been a pleasure since 2005. While I will miss the people and the challenges, I have confidence in the capable hands leading the Water and Sewer Department into the future.” 

“Henderson County has greatly benefitted from Lee Smith’s term as Utilities Director,” stated City Manager John Connet. “His leadership and dedication have transformed our utility infrastructure, ensuring the highest quality of service for our residents. His legacy will continue to inspire us to move forward, and we wish Lee a rewarding retirement.” 

Lee Smith's wealth of experience extends beyond his time with the City of Hendersonville. Prior to his arrival in 2005, he spent 6.5 years working in the industry, followed by 2.5 years with the Town of Louisburg, NC, 2.5 years with the Town of Clayton, NC, and 8.5 years with Brunswick County, NC. Smith holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology from Appalachian State University, demonstrating his diverse background and expertise in the field. 

The City of Hendersonville expresses its gratitude to Lee Smith for his dedication, leadership, and countless contributions to the City's utilities and we wish him a happy retirement.