City Council voted Thursday to approve a number of items regarding the Sewerage and Water Board.
The changes come after the council gained broad authority over the utility on August 1, thanks to a state law.
These items were discussed at a committee meeting last week, but with the full council approving them Thursday, they can now go into effect.
The council passed an ordinance that makes changes to the governance and operations of SWBNO. The board of directors will now include the mayor, the Council Public Works Committee chair, two people from the Board of Liquidation, City Debt and seven New Orleans citizens.
Councilmember Aimee McCarron told WDSU that appointments of new board members are likely to be taken up in a committee meeting next week, then voted on by the full council on August 20.
The ordinance also requires SWBNO to provide an annual emergency preparedness plan and capitol improvement plan, which will be a five-year forecast of projects and programs. SWBNO will also be required to submit a yearly budget to the council.
The council also approved a number of motions and resolutions. One of them was a request for an audit of the SWBNO’s financials. Another tasked the new board with determining whether it is necessary to have both a superintendent and executive director position.
During the meeting, Council President JP Morrell said that with these changes, the council will have more power to directly improve SWBNO services and solve problems for residents.
The Sewerage and Water Board issued a statement following the votes:
“Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is committed to working under any governance structure that supports the mission of improving critical infrastructure and delivering reliable service to our customers. We welcome the opportunity to strengthen collaboration with the City and support efforts that enhance coordination, accountability, and transparency. Our focus remains on continued improvement to build a stronger and more resilient water system for New Orleans.”
Mayor Helena Moreno also responded following the approval of the changes. She said in a statement:
“Today marks a historic step toward delivering the accountability the people of New Orleans deserve from the Sewerage and Water Board. For too long, residents have demanded better performance with too little local oversight. This ordinance gives the City and Council the tools to provide stronger accountability, greater transparency, and a clearer focus on results. Reform will not happen overnight, but meaningful change starts with accountability. This is a turning point that puts us on the path toward a more responsive, reliable SWB and, ultimately, better outcomes for the people of New Orleans.”
READ MORE:New Orleans council approves changes to Sewerage and Water Board
