January 30, 2008

Konst moving forward on Task Force

Erie County Legislator Kathy Konst (D-Lancaster, Elma) is moving forward on her proposal to evaluate the Erie County Water Authority for reform and the possibility of being

"When the Erie County Water Authority was originally chartered in 1949, it was to be phased out after 12 years of operation," Legislator Konst said. "It is now 58 years later and we still have a quasi - government that raises water rates without any justification. I have established a working committee whose goal is to lay out a plan for researching viable options and determining a course of action regarding reform of the Erie County Water Authority."

The Erie County Water Authority is a public benefit corporation; the water authority has the ability to set rates independently without approval from the New York Public Service Commission or the Erie County Legislature. Early this year, the Water Authority again increased water rates for its customers, an extra five cents per 1,000 gallons of delivered water. The Erie County Water Authority has an estimated budget of $73 million in 2008.

"This task force will be holding public informational meetings later in the year, but first we need to roll up our sleeves and identify a feasible plan that outlines both the cost savings and expenses with regards to taking over this quasi-government entity," Legislator Konst said.

Just this past weekend, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli unrolled a critical audit of the NYS Thruway Authority. "By the findings in the Comptroller's audit of the New York State Thruway Authority, we now see that authorities can waste taxpayer money and request rate increases with out justification," stated Konst. "I want to establish controls so that the Erie County Water Authority doesn't continue this practice."

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