New Utility Board members will get same pay as council members, $50 month

The only new item on on the agenda for the March meeting of the Louisa City council, was the ordinance to create the new Louisa Utility Board.

Following up to a proposal made in January, City Attorney, Bud Adams, gave the city the first preview of the ordinance to create a new Louisa Utility Board. 

The decision to create a new Utilities Board, comes after discussion by Mayor Harold Slone and City Council, decided there was need for more oversight and in depth interaction with the Water and Sewer departments, more than City Council was able to provide with their monthly meetings. 

Some council members expressed some concerns of a new Utilities Board, after the old Utilities one was eliminated by a previous council.

Current Council member Lisa Schaeffer, who was a council member at the time the previous Board was dissolved, said much of the problem in the past was “we were not being kept up to date on things.”

But most agreed that the presence of the Mayor and a council member on the new Board would eliminate that concern. 

Some also expressed concern for a spending limit (without council approval) of the new Utilities Board.

Council member Tom Parson’s said, “if the project was under $20,000, they (previous water board) didn't have to go through council.” Parsons was apparently referring to some expenses the previous Utilities Board had approved, namely, the purchase of a truck, without council approval. 

Discussion of the spending limit also determined that the Mayor and Council Member on the new Board would eliminate the need for low limits, as they would keep city council informed of all large expenses.

The spending limit was set at $20,000, for purchases without prior council approval.

Mayor Slone advised council, that his experience with the water and sewer departments is that most projects and purchases for repairs and maintenance are very expensive, and it is not feasible to set a low limit, as most purchases could not wait a month for approval from council. He reassured council, saying, “I will make sure that city council has input any large purchase from the Utilities Board” 

The new Ordinance for the utilities board will contain the following:

• The Board will be comprised of 6 members, consisting of 4 appointed members, 1 city council member, and the Mayor, In a non-voting role. 
• The terms of appointment for members will be staggered, so as not all members can be replaced at one time. 
• Each appointed member will be compensated $50 per month. 
• The board may spend up to $20,000 without council approval.

The Ordinance was passed by a 5-1 vote by city council, Gloria Johnson being the only No vote. 

The members of the board will be appointed at a future council meeting.