The Gods of Water and Road Diets
Posted by Jim Sack in City & County Government, Fort WayneBy Jim Sack
Kumar Menon’s presentation to council was studious, refined and chocked with facts and figures and explanations of how the state controls much of water policy in Fort Wayne. He could lull owls to sleep. And, by the end of his lengthy slide show and presentation most council members had begun to ask how the effect of the rate increase might be “softened,” not whether it was inevitable or needed.
So, next week the matter will be rehashed and Mr. Menon, the dapper, erudite head of City Utilities, will be bring back his answer to their principle question – is there another way? “Oh, esteemed members of our glorious and beloved city council, fellow champions of the public good, health and welfare, after lengthy study, consultation with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission, deliberations with our beloved mayor, the burning of much incense and incantations to the gods of sewers and cast iron pipe, the answer, in a word, is no! Any further questions?”
Perhaps he will find a way to lengthen the period over which the 40 percent increase is enacted (he politely said the state very seldom goes along with that option), perhaps he will win the ear of the mayor to use some Legacy money to soften the blow (fat chance given the stated goal of making a catalytic improvement to our community; this increase is for maintenance), or a magical source of grant money that will keep us all happy (not likely). All sources of funds, other than you pocket and mine, are doubtful.
Councilman Russ Jehl asked what so many cynics had observed, that only last year when seeking funding for a purification system, Mr. Menon and staff had all but assured council that no rate increase was in the works. Mr. Menon in response to Mr. Jehl’s challenge repeated what he had said earlier in the session, a bit of a split of the hair to be sure, that an evaluation of the needs of the water-garbage-recylcing utility was not complete when he came before council in April, so, technically, he could honestly say that no rate increase had been “in the works” and that he had not spoken with a forked tongue. Like too many other things the problem did not reveal itself until just after the election. Oh, the gods of timing.
The review was, however, planned and executed last year and might have merited passing mention during those UV-Cryto Spiridium hearings that drew millions of dollars away from other City Utility budget lines, including maintenance. “Oh, yes, council members, we have an review in process that will evaluate our balance sheet, our processes and procedures and help us determine whether an adjustment (increase) to water rates will be forced upon us…” He might have tossed that in. It would have raised valid questions which, after all, is what council is supposed to do.
The rate increase will be passed. Council all but said so last night. They will wring their hands and hope that the Mayor will toss a few Legacy dollars to soften the blow to rate payers, but don’t count on it. The water rate increase will take effect in 2013, so start saving pennies now.
Coupled with the confusion surrounding botched inspection of our new city hall’s ancient elevators, the subsequent delay in reporting that substantial miss and the wallet-busting price of the screw-up Mr. Menon’s parsed words last night offered no solace that the administration will keep its word to be more open and cooperative with council. Two swings, two misses. Three strikes, as the metaphor goes. Actions speak louder than words, as the saying goes.
Also, on the menu last night was also discussion of the road “diet” for Lake Avenue. Four lanes, inadequate lanes by most standards, unless you may live in Nigeria, will be reduced to three – two opposing travel lanes and a center turn lane. Lake had been problematic since penny-pincher (penny wise, pound foolish) Mayor Mike Burns save the taxpayer money that flowed directly to body shops and tire repair. Accident, accident, accident. The same diet was implemented on Rudisill and all but the guys driving the muffler-less, high-hubbed, muscle cars love it. Such a “diet” will benefit everyone traveling Lake. Oddly, John Shoaff did not ask why the same sort of diet was not appropriate for State Boulevard where the state-city planning cabal plans to widen, widen, widen to divert truck traffic from Coliseum past North Side, Hall’s East State, the Hospital and the Rib Room. “Listen to the whistle the rumble and the roar…”
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Was the $7 million Haper refered to last night pay in lieu of taxes money from CU?
Jim:
I can smell a MOVIE-OPP here…
"TOM (Henry) AND KUMAR GO TO THE TAXPAYERS POCKETS."
Maybe a direct-to-video release?
Mr. Menon is very good at what he does, his presentation last night left critics of the rate increase without many options. It was a fact-packed presentation, he explained problems well and responded to all of their questions, sometimes without answering them. He is very good at what he does.
A partial solution for rate payers could be by doing a simple calculation of how much the administration spent from the general fund in amounts of less than $80,000 for pet projects that many times trades tax dollars for campaign contributions.And which, as you know. needs no council approval.Take that amount and subtract it from the money CU hands over to the city"Pilot"money.Leave it in place to cut the cost of the rate increase.The tax payers are happy,Council is happy,by osmosis everything budgeted for should be covered, and the mayor is put into an awkward position.Imagine an evil laugh.
This administration gives me little to feel confident about. There is no transparency, there is no credibility. And as long as Council continues to enable them with a wink and a nod….they are suspect, too.
Our biggest water usage by far is watering the plants during the summer, which we should be able to cut significantly. What happens if people cut their usage enough so that the city doesn't get the anticipated additional revenue stream?
I thought I read somewhere that is why they need the increase, because people are conserving water, and revenues are down.
That, Buscopat, was one of the reasons cited for their bottom line problems. They will have to factor that into the coming equations because most people will cut back in a vain attempt to save. The increase is just for water, not sewage nor for recycling, so the 40% increase will come out to about 25-26% bottom line increase. If you read your water bill, which I am sure you do with the eyes of protected Bald Eagle, then you know that the cost of the water is only a fraction of the total bill utility with also includes the above mentioned services, service charges, taxes and something for the coffee fund.
Mr. Menon made strong arguments. He carried the night like Arminius overwhelmed Varus. (Look that up…you will be stunned.) Council were left hoping for alternative ways to fund the repairs, as any of us would wish, but, the chances are slim that the city will offer a different approach.
DBP, council was outclassed. Mr. Menon, who I rather enjoy, simply buried them in fact, perhaps some fiction, statistics, rationale and bits of poetry. He was unassailable and only Councilmen Jehl and Crawford, add in Smith, pushed him to deviate from the script. He broke no sweat.
Henry knew about the elevators and the needed rate hike.What council should have bitched about is the misdirection.They have no reason to trust Henry again.And by his resent behavior it looks like he could care less.
I don't know why, John, that council was so accommodating to Mr. Menon. Smith asked the key question, but only Russ and Dr. Crawford seemed willing to follow up. I was a bit disappointed that they did not pose and repose the question until Mr. Menon answered in a simple sentence. Perhaps there is more to the drama than we all saw. Or, perhaps there is not and the polylogue was just a reflection of how weak council is when pitted against a better armed administration. I should study opera to better understand Tuesday nights. I think what we all want is good government, and for the mayor to be applauded for good services and improving the quality of life in our little city. That, sadly, is not what we are witnessing.
Amen.
John, read Machiavelli. There is very little trust amongst council members and less when they consult with the administration. It is nothing new, just the standard in politics. They all have agendii and sometimes their goals are clear, other times they are not.
Well I hope a lot of people show up tonight because I know council can count.Rule of thumb to judge politicians.
Don't believe anything they say and only half of what you see.
It isn't what they say its what they don't say
And the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.