Deputy Manager Steve Lynne. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Staff Report

Deputy Manager Steve Lynne presents the County Council’s 2018 proposed budget, which totals $389,546 Monday night in Council Chambers.

Councilor Rick Reiss suggested adding a budget option for a one-time consultant-driven study for a utility financial assessment and for funding options. He added he would like to see some members of County Council, the Department of Public Utlities (DPU) staff, members of the Board of Public Utilities and County staff involved in this effort.

Reiss said the study would help resolve some issues with DPU funding as well as communication gaps. He added this would need DPU’s cooperation. Reiss initially suggested budgeting $50,000 but agreed to decrease it to $25,000. ‘I think it is a real opportunity to reset the communication,’ he said.

Several Councilors spoke in favor of Reiss’ recommendation. ‘I support this concept,’ Vice Chair Susan O’Leary said, adding if the Council and DPU could get guidance from an external source and look at alternate revenue sources, it would be a ‘very productive and healthy approach.’ Councilor Antonio Maggiore said, ‘I think this is a fantastic idea … I would like to see us earmark 20 or 25 ($20,000 or $25,000) initially because times are tight.’

Chair David Izraelevitz urged the Council to communicate this idea to DPU. He mentioned an upcoming work session with DPU and its board could be scheduled earlier and urged that this item be placed on the agenda so its scope could be collaboratively discussed. Ultimately, the Council approved to tentatively accept the Council’s budget with the $25,000 budget item for the independent consultant and to reduce the Council’s overall budget by $4,000.