HomeMy WebLinkAbout12182023 City Council Laydown - Jaffa yOl D w 17\ gAice J-)-(CA\ CC
Mayor, Council Administration, December 18, 2023
I believe Seward can and should own its own utility. At the last Council meeting I
was called out as an opponent to the Utility Sale. True. During my career in
construction, I have been the target of comments on the outhouse wall. So what.
I can take it. And so can the Majority of Seward voters that opposed the sale.
I asked my own questions anyway. I learned of the benefits to Seward owners and
ratepayers. These included local control of rates and policy, protection from
outside politics, local generators, local jobs. Additionally, of the Pride and
confidence that a twice selected ALL American City has when it does own and
operate its own Utility.
Council chose to ignore the efforts of local citizens, that showed that our locally
owned Utility is viable. Consequentially, to learn more, I contacted the Hillsdale,
Michigan Utility Director. Hillsdale is home to the prestigious Hillsdale College and
is no lightweight in government forms. Like Seward, Hillsdale owns the Utility,
buys power, and has ratepayers inside and outside City limits. Their Electrical
administration includes a 5 position Advisory Board of ratepayers appointed by
their Council to 5 year overlapping terms. They have in the past had the same
concerns about a sale and determined to keep ownership. As a strong
conservative community, I believe they have set a good and reasoned example.
Inconsistency in administration, a poorly considered reduction of rates during the
last decade and the new debt obligation of the Transmission Line upgrade has
exacerbated our problem. For Seward, a rate increase is clearly needed and
overdue. Make it $.03 per local input or $.06 per the Rate Study, as you choose
and look at the results as they develop. Local Control means local adjustment.
For the long term Seward can and should decide to operate this Utility for the
benefit of the community, even as current requirements may be difficult to
accept.
Bruce Jaffa
Outside the City