TAX MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN OR SAVINGS WITH NEW WATER AUTHORITY?

For those that promote regional government a Regional Authority is a vehicle to accomplish this.

How do you coordinate a project across political jurisdictions weaving the maze of statutory authority and relying on multiple jurisdictions. You create an Authority.


The public will lose access and will have to rely on their elected officials and media to protect their jurisdictionally competing interests. Genesee County was embroiled in criminal controversy concerning a pipelines effort several decades ago.

At this early stage the Authority should address the issue of public accountability. No negative is ment. To protect the publics interest in transparency, participation and accountability is a good thing to do.

The easiest time to do it is now not in reaction to controversy. Authority member should make this one of their first orders of the day. Create a sub committee to study the issues of transparency, citizen participation and accountability.

I would also suggest thought be given for the processing of formal complaints by member groups and informal complaints from tax payers. Good Government advocates rise early and work late. Consider an ombudsman like function.





http://goodmorningflint.blogspot.com/2010/10/tax-money-down-drain-or-savings-with.html





---notes----draw your own conclusion



REGIONAL WATER AUTHORITY..I CANNOT PRONOUNCE THE NAME SO I’LL JUST CALL IT KAREN

The new regional authority that's interested in building a water pipeline to Lake Huron could grow to include St. Clair County not long after its first meeting Tuesday. [1]

KAREN NON DI

A new governmental authority, the Karegnondi Water Authority (KWA), is planned to develop and operate the water supply. The KWA will be comprised of the communities supplied water. [3]

WHAT WILL KAREN DO FIRST

Implementation
Prior to a decision by the study participants on whether to continue to purchase water from the current supplier or to pursue development of a new supply, the KWA should be incorporated. Details regarding the structure and operating procedures of the authority should be developed and understood prior to a decision regarding an alternative. This will require that participants authorize that the articles of incorporation are developed. Following their completion, the KWA can be established through a vote of the participants as a decision is made regarding which alternative should be pursued.[3]



THEY WILL HAVE THE FIRST MEETING TO MAKE THE DECISION THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE.

"I don't think Detroit is willing to discuss (any new rate structure) for the area," he[COUSINS] said. "Genesee County and Flint, I think, are going to move forward regardless.[2]



The City of Flint (Flint), the Genesee County Drain Commissioner – Division of Water and Waste Services (GCDC-WWS), and the Greater Lapeer County Utilities Authority (GLCUA) are supplied water from the City of Detroit’s Department of Water and Sewerage (DWSD). Because of growing concerns regarding the reliability and cost of the DWSD supply, these utilities have considered other alternatives for water supply. The first formal study was completed in 1992; the most recent was completed in 2006.[3]



WHAT IS THE PLAN

New Lake Huron Water Supply


The 2006 study evaluated several options for a new water supply. This study focuses on the alternative of delivering raw water from Lake Huron to participating communities for local treatment and distribution.[3]

In 2002, GCDC-WWS purchased 230 acres of land adjacent to Lake Huron in southern Sanilac County. An intake will be constructed several miles out into Lake Huron and a pumping station will be built on this site. Raw water will be pumped through a pipeline to an inland reservoir.[3]

Inland from the reservoir, pipelines will supply water for treatment facilities in Flint, GCDC-WWS, and GLCUA. Treatment facilities for Sanilac County can be located along the pipeline route.[3]

Treatment by microfiltration has been planned for Sanilac County and GLCUA. A new conventional treatment plant is planned for GCDC-WWS. It is planned that raw Lake Huron water will be delivered to Flint's existing treatment plant.[3]

The water system provides for twin pipelines, storage, backup equipment, and redundant processes to provide a reliable supply. [3]





OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Because Karegnondi, which means "lake" in the Petan Indian language, has been created as a public agency, the 3 p.m. meeting in Flint City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St., Flint, is open to the public. The five communities that make up the authority have already agreed to articles of incorporation for the new collective. [2]


Wright said his office has sent notices of Tuesday's meeting to anyone who has expressed interest in the pipeline issue by writing to his office in the past.[2]





DUMPDETROITWATER.COM MOVEMENT GROWING

And although divorce from the Detroit water system isn't on the agenda, representatives of Flint, Lapeer, and Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties are clearly feeling unloved and ready to move on. [2]

Detroit Water & Sewerage spokeswoman Mary Sevakis said officials with the utility are aware of the Karegnondi group and expects an average 5 percent increase in the price of water for other customers if the Karegnondi communities break away from Detroit.

Sevakis said Detroit is still open to negotiating new contracts with the communities, including Flint, its largest water customer.[2]


WRIGHT SAYS THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO

Wright's office has kept the idea of building a new water pipeline alive for years, promoting the idea through a 2006 feasibility study. The drain commissioner has said a new pipeline to supply the area will have to be built in the short-term -- either by the new authority of Detroit. [2]

The cost of building a new pipeline from Genesee County to Lake Huron has been estimated at about $600 million, but Genesee County officials have said the long-term cost of water will be "substantially less" from an authority-owned pipeline than continuing to purchase water from Detroit. [2]


Analysis has shown that the difference in the cost of water between the alternative of continuing supply from DWSD and of constructing a new Lake Huron supply can provide for the capital investment to construct the new supply. If Alternative 2 (New Lake Huron Supply) is constructed and water rates are increased to the levels projected for Alternative 1 (future DWSD rates), then the difference can be used to payoff the bonds that were taken out to finance the construction of the new water supply. Following repayment of the bonds, the cost of water will be reduced to a fraction of what is expected if supply is continued from DWSD. [3]







THE GROWING BAND OF FIVE.

Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright, one of five members of the Karegnondi Water Authority Board, said the group could discuss St. Clair County's interest at its 3 p.m. meeting in Flint.[1]



Board members are Walling, representing Flint; Wright, representing Genesee County; Dale Kerbyson, representing the city of Lapeer; John Cosens, representing Lapeer County; and Greg Alexander, representing Sanilac County.

Cosens said he's coming into Tuesday's meeting with the expectation that the new authority will build it's own water pipeline. [2]


Flint, which is a direct customer of Detroit, resells Lake Huron water -- pumped here through a Detroit-owned pipeline -- to Genesee County but for decades officials here have complained of high costs for the water and a price formula that penalizes this area because of its distance from Detroit and its elevation. [2]

"Our region is at the end the Detroit pipeline and required to pay an unfair portion of the costs" for the system, Walling said. Detroit has been unwilling to "negotiate contracts with special provisions" for Flint, the mayor said.[2]





ST.CLAIR COUNTY INTERESTED

"We received a notice in writing from St. Clair County that they have interest in joining the authority," Wright said today. [1]

BOB WILL BE THERE..TUESDAY

St. Clair County Drain Commissioner Bob Wiley said he expects to attend the Tuesday meeting and take information from it back to the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners for action. [1]

"The expectation I have for the authority is that it will move forward with construction of a pipeline," said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, one of the five members of the Karegnondi Water Authority. [2]





Tuesday's meeting won't go that far, but it's a huge milepost, "the next step" for breaking away from the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, said Genesee County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright.[2]

In addition to hearing from water customers, the board is expected to elect a chairman and other officers, approve authority bylaws, and discuss an initial budget. Wright said he expects funding for the authority will come from each community based on how much raw water each will want from a new pipeline.[2]





WRIGHT IS INTERESTED IN THEIR INTEREST



Wright said the authority could appoint a board member to discuss a full membership or the option to purchase water with St. Clair officials. [1]

"At this point, I've talked to most county commissioners," Wiley said today. "They are all showing an interest (but) they want the details." [1]

KARENGMOID

The Karegnondi Water Authority currently includes Genesee, Lapeer and Sanilac counties as well as the cities of Flint and Lapeer. The authority borrows its name from the Petan Indian language in which karegnondi means "lake." [1]

THEY WILL AVOID THE EARLY FEES?

Wiley said the need for St. Clair County to join in the authority isn't pressing but would keep the county's options open in the future. Port Huron, the county's largest city, treats river water for use in the city and for resale to other communities. One township in the county purchases water from the Detroit Water & Sewerage Department, he said. [1]

I SEE YOU

In addition to the communities that make up the water authority, other water users in the region have been watching the development of the Karegnondi group. [1]

AND I SEE YOU

Livingston County Drain Commissioner Brian Jonckheere said he is monitoring the group's progress even though he doesn't see the need to join at this point. [1]

THINGS ARE WELL IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY

Livingston County has a number of community well systems as sources of public water. Three townships in the county already have a relationship with the Genesee County drain office, which handles sewage treatment for them. [1]

PIPE OR AQUIFER

"I don't foresee we would need to use that (Lake Huron) water," Jonckheere said. "We are blessed with some very good aquifer and very good drinking water ... Our primary interest is in wanting to keep the option open." [1]

NOT EVERYONE WANTS A NEW PIPELINE

Roger Buell, former Grand Blanc Township engineer, said he plans to attend Tuesday's meeting and is opposed to creation of the authority to build a pipeline.

The Flint Journal could not immediately reach Buell for comment but he said in a e-mail that the cost of raw water from Detroit isn't enough to justify such a huge investment.

"We need a business-friendly environment and cooperating with Detroit is the right thing to do -- not some new government agency that the public has to watch its back for.," he said in an e-mail.[2]

KAREN GIVES ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

. Why are we considering building a new pipeline?

Each community is on a year-to-year contract with DWSD. DWSD will not build a second feed to our area without a new 30-year contract. Before signing a 30-year contract, each community needs to determine which is the most reliable, cost effective, and provide the greatest flexibility for economic development of the region. A second pipeline will be built and paid for by the water customers of the region. The real question is who is going to build it, control it, own it and set the rates?

2. By joining the group, do we lose control of our system?

No, in fact your control over water and its cost will increase. Currently, you purchase finished water from DWSD with no input as to the cost. As a member of the group, you will purchase raw water and treat it to your own standards. As a member, you will participate in establishing the cost and rates for the water.

3. Why not use the Flint River and our existing treatment plant?

Your study concluded that:
a. Flint River can provide water to Flint or the county, not both.
b. The construction of pipeline is cheaper than the cost to treat Flint River water.
c. By using raw water, your treatment plant can be activated at a lower cost.
d. Regulations call for communities to access the best available source - we believe this is Lake Huron.

4. What is this going to cost?

The study projects that staying with DWSD will cost our region $2.1 billion over the next 25 years. By building our own pipeline, our cost would be $1.9 billion over the same period.

After the initial 25-year period, our cost would be less than 25% that the projected cost of water from DWSD.

5. Will our separation result in a loss of water to the Great Lakes?

Genesee County, on behalf of the study group, the cities of Flint and Lapeer, counties of Genesee and Lapeer, applied for a new water withdrawal from MDEQ, in accordance with the Great Lakes Compact. The withdrawal constitutes an inter-basin use and we are not diverting any water out of Lake Huron. All water is used and returned to the lake. Additionally, any increase in our use will result in a net decrease by the DWSD system but will not have an impact on Lake Huron.

6. Is this decision final?

No. Each community will appoint representatives to participate in drafting an intergovernmental agreement, which will be brought back to each council/board for consideration and adoption.

Posted here by

Terry Bankert

http://attorneybankert.com/


[1]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/10/st_clair_county_could_still_jo.html


[2]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/10/karegnondi_water_authority_is.html


[3]

http://www.karegnondi.com/

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