NEW ORLEANS — The special task force reviewing failures of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board is now compiling a list of recommendations for lawmakers and Gov. Jeff Landry
Thursday, the panel held its third and final public meeting. Members made suggestions after hearing from experts, SWBNO leaders, and customers. They appeared to agree that the utility needs to fix its myriad of billing issues as a first order of business.
“A special master will help clear Sewerage and Water Board’s backlog of billing issues, inspire confidence in Sewerage and Water Board’s billing, and improve collections,” task force member Ryan Berger, a New Orleans real estate developer said.
Another member recommended hiring retired judges or mediators to help review disputed bills. There was also a suggestion to hire a forensic auditor to investigate $90 million in outstanding collections.
“Certainly, the billing problem is a huge problem and we’ve got to address it first,” Paul Flower, president and CEO of Woodward Design+Build said. “I just think the state’s got to help fund it and bring in a strike force that’s got the capability and the requisite skill set to be able to get into these things, solve it, and get rid of that.”
Another suggestion was to bring drainage under one roof.
“The current split oversight of the drainage system, between the Sewerage and Water Board and Department of Public Works creates inefficiencies and impedes accountability of the system as a whole,” Berger said.
There was also a push to change the governance of the utility to be a board of directors made up of citizens. Right now, the mayor serves as the president of the 11-member panel.
“Number one, consolidation of authority or structure and accountability of management,” task force member and CPA William Vanderbook said. “Number two, establish the trust of the customers, the taxpayers, which is essential.”
New Orleans & Company President and CEO Walt Leger, a former state representative suggested the SWBNO develop a 20-year masterplan for infrastructure improvements.
“It would be something that we could point to, that the public could rally around, and that ultimately they could support the implementation of funding necessary to be able to achieve it,” Leger said.
Other recommendations include lifting the residency requirement for water board employees and establishing fixed billing for residential customers based on the last 10 months of uncontested bills until the new smart meters are installed.
“I really welcome the recommendations,” SWBNO General Superintendent Steve Nelson said. “We’re here to serve the people of New Orleans and the government structure in this task force. We look forward to the recommendations and continue to serve.”
The task force is now expected to deliver its final list of recommendations to the governor on March 27. State lawmakers will likely act on some of the recommendations during the current legislative session.
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