Issue 3 is NOT about improving communication

Maybe you have seen the email circulating Avon Lake where a Council member urges you to vote for Issue 3 and asks, “What harm can it bring?” Or, maybe you received a knock on your door from a Council member asking you to vote for Issue 3 to help improve communication between the Board of Municipal Utilities and the City Council.

Have you ever wondered why they are campaigning so hard for Issue 3, especially because they currently attend Board meetings; and other communication channels have long been in place to discuss matters of joint importance? I have.

I believe they want a seat at the table because they want to bring their influence into water and wastewater decisions. Those that are asking you to vote for Issue 3 claim that because the ex-officio members can’t vote, there will be no political influence and the Board can remain independent. That’s like dating your jilted ex-lover’s best friend and thinking there won’t be some negative indirect influence on the relationship.

The original framers of our city’s Charter established a Board of Municipal Utilities that was separate and independent from the City Council. They did so in order to allow five people elected by you to focus exclusively on the provision of water and wastewater services and eight people (the Mayor and City Council) to focus exclusively on city services such as roads, parks, and community development. In the 62 years since the charter was adopted, this division has worked exceptionally well for you.

Issue 3 would make sense if politics weren’t involved. Avon Lake Municipal Utilities has been highly successful and has become a strong regional water and wastewater service provider due to its proximity to the lake, the strong service ethic of its staff, and the independence of its Board. Avon Lake Municipal Utilities provides water and/or wastewater services to far away jurisdictions because jurisdictions closer to them tied politics to provision of service. They offered service on the basis of annexation or the requirement to form joint economic development zones and share tax money. As a result, the deals did not happen and the far away jurisdictions asked the Board of Municipal Utilities to provide service.

What would happen if the City Council were to take over the Board? I believe new jurisdictions may not consider seeking service from Avon Lake Municipal Utilities, and I believe existing outside jurisdictions would consider alternate suppliers. That would lead to higher rates for your water and wastewater services. Sometimes, it is best to leave well-enough alone.

I believe that allowing members of Council and the Mayor to serve as non-voting ex-officio members is like placing a wedge in a crack. Placing a wedge is only a wise idea if you want the object to break. I believe that ex-officio membership is the first step toward eventual eradication of the Board.  The Board of Municipal Utilities and your Avon Lake Municipal Utilities are too important to allow that to happen.

I am voting NO on Issue 3, and I hope that I have motivated you to do so as well. Please pass along the link to this blog to help inform others, and exercise your civic responsibility on November 5.