Utility Public Meeting Schedule

Public meetings have been scheduled to garner feedback from Indianapolis residents concerning the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to transfer the City of Indianapolis’ (City) water and wastewater utilities to Citizens Energy Group (Citizens). They are as follows:

* Tomorrow (23 March), 6:30-8 p.m.: George Washington High School Cafeteria, 2215 West Washington Street, Indianapolis

*29 March, 6:30-8 p.m.: Aldersgate Free Methodist Church, 9035 East 21st Street, Indianapolis

*13 April, 6:30-8 p.m.: Family Life Center, Nu Corinthian Church, 5935 West 56th Street, Indianapolis

*20 April, 5-6:30 p.m.: Divine Savior Lutheran Church, 7315 East 75th Street, Indianapolis

Representatives from Mayor Greg Ballard's administration, Carey Lykins, Citizens CEO, and other key Citizens staff will be on hand to answer questions from residents and ratepayers regarding the transfer of the water and wastewater utilities.

On 10 March 2010, Mayor Ballard and Lykins signed the MOU to transfer the water and wastewater utilities to Citizens. Pending negotiation of final agreement and Board of Waterworks, Board of Public Works, City-Council Council and IURC approval, the City will receive more than $425 million that will be directly invested in the City’s crumbling infrastructure. In addition, Citizens agrees to assume approximately $1.5 billion of City debt (combined debt of waterworks and wastewater).

The Indianapolis mayor intends to file legislation for the utility transfers with the Indianapolis City-County Council on 16 April. In addition to approval by the City-County Council, the utility transfer must be approved by the Board of Water Works, the Board of Public Works and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Full approval would likely take place in late 2010.

For more information about the utility transfers and the schedule for public meetings, go online or call 317:327-4MAC.

Before attending one of the "information" sessions, this Indianapolis Observer suggests that you read this blog post.