The Monterey Water and Sewer Committee has formed a corrective action plan to address the state comptroller’s concerns with the town’s water and sewer budget.
Water and Sewer Committee Chairman Bill Wiggins said a portion of the plan is explaining what the town is going to do to attract a prospect to operate the Perdue Plant. Wiggins said a serious prospect visited the plant on Wednesday.
“Don’t know who, that’s not important, but they are in the poultry business, that’s all I know,” Wiggins said. “So it is a piece of hot property and we think that we will have somebody up here before long.”
Wiggins also said that as part of the plan, the committee is suggesting that Jackson and Thornton, a utility consultant, perform a study on the town’s water department.
“Let them come in and take another look at our operation here, in particular, since we’ve lost about $1 million of revenue from the departure of Perdue,” Wiggins said. “So they will be studying rate structures and whatever is involved in keeping the department above water.”
Wiggins said the town is also extending waterlines to help recoup some of the shortfall. Wiggins said the town wants to resolve issues as soon as possible.
“We are responding promptly, and it will run its course on its own due time,” Wiggins said. “But yeah, we have taken this up abruptly to get it done. How long the review process? I have no idea.”
Wiggins said he will meet with Town Recorder Ella Dishman to formalize the plan and then send it to Mayor Alex Garcia for his approval. Wiggins said once Garcia approves the plan it will be submitted to the comptroller’s office for review. Wiggins said if the comptroller’s office approves the plan, then the plan will be sent back and presented to the Board of Aldermen for approval.
Wiggins said the town is already working with the Department of Economic and Community Development to search for a potential prospect for the plant.
