Joint service plan better idea than a water authority

Gardiner Mulford
Published: October 11, 2008

An independent water and sewer authority is a bad idea for both the town and the county residents.

Lack of centralized government oversight and lack of accountability make independence of public utilities problematic.

To whom does an independent water and sewer authority answer? Where do citizens go to for help when problems arise with the water provider?

An alternative solution would be the creation of joint service districts. The town retains control of water and sewer, the county retains control of the ground and its administration. Both share equally in the tax revenue generated from the joint service district.

In this approach, it is in the best interest of both the county and town to sit down and do some detailed planning of the district.

There would be a block-by-block plan that best utilizes space in order to attract targeted users.

Finance, high tech, corporate headquarters and educational institutions are just a few industries that would be drawn to a well planned service district.

For the town to lose control of its asset and for the county to give up prime real estate for the creation of a water authority that answers to no one is simply ridiculous.

A joint service district is the only solution that benefits all. It will produce the best results in economic development for the town and county, the success of one being of the utmost importance to the other.

Gardiner Mulford
Mulford Realty, LLC.
Culpeper