Thursday, October 28, 1999
Chamber: Sell water system
BY TERRY FLYNN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
NEWPORT — The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has come out in favor of the sale of Newport's water system and is urging voters to approve the sale Tuesday when they go to the polls.
The Chamber sent a letter to all its members urging them to “encourage your employees and any City of Newport residents to go to the polls and vote "yes' for the water service acquisition.”
City Commissioner Jerry Peluso, who is opposed to selling the water works, said he
expects a very light vote Tuesday. “I believe as few as 500 people could determine the outcome of this question,” he said.
Mr. Peluso said the sale is “a complicated issue, and I don't believe residents have had enough time to learn about it and understand it.”
But City Manager Phil Ciafardini said he doesn't believe more time would make any difference in residents' understanding of the proposed sale to the Northern Kentucky Water Service District.
“It really comes down to what the residents want,” he said. “Do they want to pay more to have their own (water) system. Are they willing to have higher rates to maintain control.”
He said he thinks the city's voters are taking the issue very seriously and believes the turnout at the polls in Newport will be higher than in the rest of Campbell County and Northern Kentucky.
The city is in the process of completing eight public meetings to inform the public about the sale. Mr. Ciafardini has pointed out that treatment and sales from the city's water filtration and delivery system have dropped over 40 percent since 1990, while operating costs have increased 20 percent and rates have increased 63 percent.
In a flier sent to residents, the city administration points out that keeping the water system could mean possible rate increases, staff reduction, delay of capital projects and reducing hours of operation.
Mr. Peluso said he does not believe the city needs to implement all the proposed capital improvements with the next five years, and also said there are no guarantees from the Water Service District about improvements they will make in the near future.
If the sale is approved by voters, the Water Service District will assume the city's $9 million debt on the water system and pay the city $7 million in cash. The District will offer positions to all Newport water works employees.
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