Some DuPage board members skeptical of water takeover

Two state legislative proposals to have DuPage County take the reins of the embattled DuPage Water Commission are meeting resistance from some county board members.

"The biggest thing I think I have a problem with is we're coming in at the tail end of this financial saga with no ability to help determine a solution," board member JR McBride said. "And then the language in the bills doesn't call for any separation of the water commission's money and I don't want that money co-mingled with the county's funds."

The county board has not taken any position on either bill as a body, but some board members expressed concerns at Tuesday's legislative committee hearing.

The water commission is in the midst of a financial crisis stemming from the accidental spending of its reserve funds on operations. The commission's general manager and treasurer resigned in the wake of an audit that determined mismanagement and poor financial oversight led to the crisis. The commission took out a $30 million loan to cover some costs and is contemplating another $40 million to take care of the rest of its debt.

Two DuPage Republican legislators - state Sen. Dan Cronin of Elmhurst and state Rep. Randy Ramey of Carol Stream - have twin bills up for debate in each chamber calling for the county to take over the commission. Cronin said the lack of accountability on the board made up of seven appointees by the county and six appointees by municipal water customers makes the change necessary. Cronin also said it was always his intention to keep the water commission's funds separate from the county's.

"I see a problem and I'd like to solve it," he said. "I think the county taking responsibility for this and helping reform this water commission is the right thing to do."

Some board members were rankled by the legislators submitting the bills for consideration without first seeking board input.

"I think there can be other fixes that can take care of this," board member Jim Healy said. "What this legislation does right now is give you all the liability, but not all of the control."

Cronin said he's open to discuss any amendments, but the legislation had to be submitted to meet filing deadlines.

Board member Dirk Enger said the county has its own issues to be worked out and shouldn't be forced to take on problems created by another public agency.

"The county has too much on our hands right now," he said.

But Cronin, who is the Republican nominee for county board chairman in the November election, contends government should step in when there are problems affecting taxpayers.

"This is our duty," he said. "I can't bear to turn a blind eye any longer to what's going on there any longer."

The commission provides Lake Michigan water to more than two dozen municipalities and agencies, including slivers of unincorporated parts of the county. Funding comes from the sale of water to the municipalities plus a quarter-cent sales tax.

Cronin's bill is SB580 and Ramey's is HB5552.