(The Center Square) – Mayor Helena Moreno’s campaign to overhaul the Sewerage and Water Board has arrived at the New Orleans City Council, where members introduced a series of ordinances that take aim at the boards auhthority and independence.
Moreno backed legislation during the state session giving the city greater authority over the utility, then created a working group to develop the new governance structure. Her administration also plans to seek voter approval for a future charter amendment changing the board’s composition.
The most consequential of the measures introduced on Thursday include a lengthy ordinance that would shift much of the boards budgetary and financial authority to city council.
The council could approve or amend the Sewerage and Water Board’s operating and capital budgets, debt, rates, billing policies and five-year infrastructure plan. Council approval would also be required for certain legal, consulting and lobbying contracts and for the utility’s executive director and general superintendent.
“The major decisions, the strategic decisions, the decisions that affect people’s days and their ways of life, will be made right here in the City Council chamber in public,” said Andrew Cisolo, special counsel to Moreno.
Councilmember Annie McCarron said residents often face overlapping problems involving leaks, unfinished pavement cuts, high bills, construction delays and flooding while council members have lacked the power to direct spending or demand quicker action.
“This legislation is not a punishment,” McCarron said. “This is about making sense out of the current governance structure of the Sewerage and Water Board.”
The coucil is also seeking an audit of from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor and another ordinance seeking to determine if there are any duplicative jobs being done at the board and city hall.
“Essentially we want to make sure the council and the public have an independent and clearer understanding of the boards finances,” Councilmember JP Morrell said.
