Water commission needs an overhaul

As a member of the DuPage Water Commission and the county board, I am very concerned about the direction and future of this agency. Recent developments during the past few months have angered county residents and raised the valid question about whether this public body is in need of major reform.

This past week, the commission considered a $40 million loan in addition to another $30 million loan to pay for construction debt owed later this spring, with no long-term solution on how to pay this debt off. The commission continues to spend recklessly in many areas when they should be cutting back on expenses like every other government body and every resident has been forced to do.

The water rates should not be set lower than what the city of Chicago charges the Commission. The water commission needs to quickly release the results of the investigation and audit to show where these mistakes took place and set up new policies so this does not happen again. DuPage residents are understandably frustrated about the fiscal issues now confronted by the water commission.

I agree with State Sen. Dan Cronin that we should begin a discussion about how to restructure the commission to make it more directly accountable to taxpayers. Currently, the commission is comprised of members appointed by the county board and municipalities. It is not a requirement to be an elected official; therefore, voters have little recourse to express their displeasure on the how this agency is run.

At a time when tax revenues are stagnant, it's imperative that we seek partnerships among every level of government to determine the most cost-effective way to deliver needed services. The time has come to carefully consider a new structure of the DuPage Water Commission.

Jim Zay

Carol Stream