NEW ORLEANS — The process to overhaul the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is underway. Governor Jeff Landry's task force held its first of three public meetings on Thursday evening.
By the end of the month, the 14 members must provide the governor with an investigation into the utility's failures.
Task force chairman Paul Rainwater said billing and governance are top priorities.
“We just have to decide, you know, what is it that we’re going to recommend to the governor and to the legislature so that we can move this forward. There’s got to be some changes that have to be done," Rainwater said, “Customers want to know what they’re paying for.”
The task force said it will review the billing process and seek a path forward that builds trust and confidence with customers. It will also study whether a new governing structure or reorganization is needed to improve the utility's efficiency.
GNO, Inc. CEO Michael Hecht was also asked to be a member of the task force.
“Right now, you have a sewerage and water board, which is a three-headed hydra, and that is built to create difficulties," Hecht said.
After the task force holds the three public meetings and completes its report, the suggestions will go to state lawmakers.
State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty (Metairie - R) has legislation already prepared. HB569 would replace the current governance structure with the New Orleans City Council.
“Making the council the board is one option. The other option is for it to be a truly independent citizen board," Hilferty said.
Right now, Mayor LaToya Cantrell is the utility's board president. The other 10 members consist of a city council member and the mayor's appointees.
Hilferty said there's also been a disconnect between repairs made by the Dept. of Public Works and the SWBNO.
“That is very strange. Leads to all sort of inefficiencies but also leads to a lot of finger pointing and inaction when we have issues with the drain lines," Hilferty said.
Hilferty said she's open to the task force's suggestions.
“I think it’s incredibly important that we try to get as much done in the upcoming session because it’s an urgent problem, and it’s not going to get better," Hecht said.
Mayor Cantrell has also asked the utility to produce its own findings by the end of the month.
The next public meetings are:
- March 14th at 4 p.m. - First Floor Conference Room at UMC
- March 21st at 1 p.m. - First Floor Conference Room at UMC
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