In what passes for progress, the Skagit County PUD commissioners and county commissioners have agreed to a face-to-face palaver about how to get moving on fluoridation of the PUD’s water system.

The county commissioners asked for, and got, what amounted to a survey of attitudes about fluoridation. A nonbinding ballot question generated a favorable response from 52 percent of the voters within the utility district. The county commissioners have voted for fluoridation. The money to build the plant is available.

What apparently remains in dispute is who will build the plant. The PUD says it’s prepared to operate it but isn’t in the plant construction business. The county has proceeded under the assumption that PUD would build and operate the plant.

It’s understandable if Skagit residents who are waiting for something to happen see all of this as a foot-dragging, responsibility-dodging drama with no end in sight. We’re glad to see the two boards meeting for more discussion — but as the issue drags on, talk is no longer cheap.

* Editorials reflect the consensus opinion of the editorial board and are written by its members: Publisher L. Stedem Wood, Editor Don Nelson and City Editor Dick Clever. Signed columns reflect the authors’ viewpoints.