Sewer Department Crisis Explodes At the Close of Common Council Meeting

At the end of Monday's Common Council meeting, councilman Ron Klattenberg called Water and Sewer Department director Guy Russo, and city Finance Director, Carl Erlacher to address the issue of severe budget shortfalls in the sewer department.

These problems have been addressed in earlier posts on the Eye.

"This is one of the most serious financial problems I've come across in my time on the Council," Klattenberg said to Russo. "If you were a business you'd be bankrupt. It doesn't take a rocket science to say there are troubles in the sewer department."

"This department needs a root cause analysis," Klattenberg said. "And we need an audit of the department."

Before Russo was able to provide a thorough explanation, Council member Gerry Daley asked for a special meeting where the problem could be discussed. Nearing midnight, Daley said he, and probably most council members, were not in the best state to discuss a serious problem. That meeting will be held on Tuesday September 29, 7PM in Council Chambers.

Russo was given the opportunity to make a brief assessment of the problem which he pinned on delinquent accounts and a serious drop in consumption. He said the department's 5% drop in consumption was part of a trend that was also appearing nationwide due to conservation. He cited Ukiah, California where conservation had created a drop in consumption that left them $750,000 in the red.

In addressing solutions, Erlacher noted that 2800 delinquent notices had been mailed with warnings that liens would be placed on non-paying accounts and that the phones had been busy with Water and Sewer customers inquiring about making payments.

Erlacher and Russo promised to make full reports on September 29th on efforts to collect delinquent accounts.