Ramos introduces resolution on Regional Water Governance Task Force
This evening, I am introducing a resolution for a hearing on the Regional Water Governance Task Force which was established by state law. The Baltimore Regional Water Governance Task Force was created by Senate Bill 880 and House Bill 843 in the 2023 General Assembly. The purpose is to review the relationship between Baltimore City and Baltimore County and other nearby counties relative to the water and sewer services, billing, and operations.
The Task Force is charged with evaluating the recommendations outlined in the Water/Sewer Services Comprehensive Business Process Review study published in 2021 and other governance models to see how any might apply to the Baltimore area impacting maintenance, billing, capital improvements, rate stability, service delivery and more for the 1.8 million residents served by Baltimore City water.
I welcome the exploration of such governance structures, particularly since Baltimore County residents use our water, but pay a significant amount less in their water bills. While Baltimore County is to make up the balance, we are unsure how that has happened or if so in several years. Moreover, there are significant capital improvements needed to keep our water and wastewater systems up to par.
However, we need more transparency around the Regional Water Task Force and so this resolution for a hearing requests the following information be delivered during the hearing:
Outline of the recommendations in the Water/Sewer Services Comprehensive Business Process Review study published in 2021
List of who will be appointed to the Task Force from Baltimore City.
Outline of the process the Task Force will be taking to create and assess various recommendations, including but not limited to:
Public input process on challenges with the current systems
public input process on the draft recommendations
Equity assessment to inform the recommendations and an equity assessment on any recommendations.
Economic assessment on the impact of the recommendations
Assessment of Impact on workers and jobs for City employees
How the recommendation preserves the control of the water system by Baltimore City.
Timeline for report draft and public comment period.
Other relevant information the Committee may need.
I am looking forward to this hearing and the process moving forward.