In last night's Davis County Clipper, Bountiful City Manager Tom Hardy says that the suggestion has popped up from someone (who?) in the community that the City should "sell the power department to the private sector." He states that the City has better reliability than the private sector. In addition, quoting from the Clipper he goes on to say, "Any money (excess) goes to the citizens in the form of transfers to cover various city projects.....For example, about $2 million was transferred most recently to support the general fund." (If the City refunded the $2 millioin, using ~14,000 housing units in Bountiful, that would be ~$143 per household)
Actually instead, maybe we should look at the model of Eugene, Oregon. The Eugene Water & Electric Board is not governed by the City Council. Their board is a separate elected board that governs the utility and makes all the important decisions. Please see: http://www.eweb.org/News/Publications/95Anniversary/commissioners.htm
In this manner, the Power Company is more accountable to the users of electrical power in the community rather than the political whims of the City Council, Mayor, and City Manager. The Power Company remains under ownership by the citizens. Rates are more stable. Of greatest concern is that the funds that are generated by power rates are not robbed by other City Projects but are used to keep the electrical system in good shape. Any excess after that is returned to the rate payers with lower rates. This seems to be a much more efficient model of operation.
We are not saying that Bounitul City should sell the Power Department. We are saying that Bountiful City should give Bountiful Power back to the people. Of course, if Bounitul did that, they might have to go before voters to raise taxes when they come up with shortfalls in their budget, and maybe then things would change.
How do you think that Bountiful Power should be operated?