Agenda - 12-01-1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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FINDINGS AND RPCO }4ENDAT IONS The Long Range Water Management Strategy Committee attempted to reach conclusions in three general areas, findings of fact, policy concepts, and specific policy recommendations. Factual statements generated little disagreement. It was not disputed that Orange-Alamance and Hillsborough will face demand deficits in the near term or that neither system possesses the financial means necessary to establish its own new long term source. This only translated, though, into partial agreement on the philosophical statements that must be the foundation for any coherent and functional policy. The Committee agreed that the establishment of a county- wide water and sewer entity offered many benefits in helping to address the long range water need of Orange County. The benefits include; a greater capability to respond to new Federal water and wastewater treatment requirements; greater resources and flexibility to finance and construct a new reservoir or other new water supply ; improved rate equity and representation for water and sewer customers; and the economies of scale that come with a consolidated management and planning system. For these reasons, the Committee concluded that the benefits of a consolidated water and sewer entity are desirable. General consensus was, that, in terms of management, the status quo was unacceptable in the long run. Additionally, while agreement is not universal , the Committee leans towards a new reservoir in Orange County as the best long term source, with a Jordan Lake allocation being pursued as a parallel option. The Committee recognized, however, that political , equity, management control , and other concerns exist today that make the establishment of a county-wide authority or other entity infeasible In the near future. With these concerns in mind, the Committee concluded that an incremental or graduated approach to achieving long range goals is the preferable way to proceed. Through an incremental approach to addressing the County' s water need, the Committee believed that any obstacles to a comprehensive approach that exist today could be overcome. The Committee, thus, recommends the creation of a County Water Board as the first step towards meeting the long range water needs of Orange County. This Board should consist of seven members. One each should represent Chapel Hill , Carrboro, Hillsborough, and the Orange-Alamance Water System. The remaining three are to be chosen at large. Agreement could not be reached on whether specific administrative enforcement powers should be granted to the Board. This lack of enforcement power is of concern to some Committee members. Therefore, the members of the County Water Board must be as accountable as possible to their respective constituencies if their recommendations are to translate into action. While the County Commissioners should be responsible for appointments to the Board, the