Town Hall Meeting in Lake Worth on Utilities

The Town Hall Meeting on Lake Worth Utilities "Understanding the Costs and Benefits" was held this morning at the Calvary United Methodist Church.

Commissioner Scott Maxwell arranged the meeting that lasted over two hours with questions from the public. He mentioned that he wants to reduce the cost of our utility bill by 25% over the next three years and it must be done by policy by the Commission. He further stated that it was overly convenient to use Utility funds to operate our City as we have the highest rates for businesses in the State. "We need to change policy and the responsibility is with me and the rest of the Commission," he said. He failed to mention that it was he who originally obligated us to FMPA and expensive power. This Commission voted to end this Contract with FMPA and we will have a new provider in a few years. What could have turned out to be a political meeting for Commissioner Scott Maxwell was brought back on track and to the original focus by Staff.

City Manager, Susan Stanton, said in her Letter to the City Commission on June 25th that the City cannot continue to divert revenue from the Utility in an effort to pay for general government functions and high operating and personnel costs. The entire Commission agrees with this and is waiting for a Plan from Staff that will be presented to the Commission sometime in April 2011, according to Utilities Director, Becky Mattey.

Lake Worth has 26,000 utility customers and has devised a Conservation Program to help all those in reducing their utility bills. Printed material was available and covered information from how to read your meter, free energy kits, and the rebate program for all those buying energy efficient appliances. Joel Rutsky mentioned the importance of cleaning your a/c filter monthly.

Thanks to Staff for putting in a lot of work and giving up hours of time on a Saturday to give citizens an overview of Public Power that was presented by Utilities Director Becky Mattey and Assistant Utilities Director, Clay Lindstrom, Conservation Management by Joel Rutsky and Customer Service by Alvin Colbert.