Marathon now running wastewater facilities
City Council discusses alternatives for five plants
BY TERRY SCHMIDA
The City of Marathon, which now finds itself running its five wastewater plants, is exploring the possibility of turning their operation over to the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA).
Marathon City Council, meeting on May 26, agreed to gather more information about such a move following the departure of former contractor Severn-Trent Water PLC, though several members expressed reservations about the idea.
British-based Severn Trent asked for and received permission to quit their contract early amidst a cloud of recriminations over safety issues, spare parts availability, and even the poaching of its employees by the city government.
The company served notice of its intention in a May 5 letter, Council Member Dan Zieg said, leaving Marathon well positioned to realize “$700,000 savings, if the [FKAA] takes over plants and employees.
“The city is now operating all five plants,” Zieg added. “There seems to be little or downside” to exploring the idea of an FKAA takeover, he said.
However Vice-Mayor Mark Senmartin sounded a cautionary note.
“I’m always interested in more information,” Senmartin said. “We all know we have a few issues with our system . . . [but] we can run our plants just fine by ourselves . . . and the issues that we do have . . . I was told we’d have to fix those first.”
Senmartin expressed concern over the ultimate consequences of continuing to outsource the plants.
“If the aqueduct is running it, it’s a state agency,” he said. “They can’t be voted out . . . I’m not looking to go into any kind of negotiations with them.”
Council Member Bill Kelly concurred.
“Our staff hasn’t had a chance to show what they can do,” Kelly said. “I don’t see any serious problems at this time. Let’s see what [the FKAA] have to say . . . but let’s see what our guys can do. Let’s keep it open.”
Nor did Council Member Richard Keating show much enthusiasm Zieg’s initiative.
“I’m not disagreeable to look at numbers that the Aqueduct may bring forward,” he said. “I am reminded that Severn Trent was brought on board to save us a bunch of money. Right now I’m leaning more toward keeping it in-house.”
Former Mayor John Bartus, who rose to speak following the debate, was even more blunt.
“My first response was that this has got to be an April Fools’ joke,” Bartus said to applause from other attendees. “This is Marathon’s utility. If someone has a problem, they can talk to a local official, you, and at least be heard. Our utility is a revenue generator.”
Also at the meeting, the City Council discussed its ongoing search for a new city manager, city attorney, and city finance director.
“So far we have 14 or 15 attorney resumes,” Senmartin said. “I would like to come back at the next meeting with some interviews.”
Zieg agreed.
“I think we have more than enough,” he said. “I suggest we stop the resume process. We have tons of resumes to look at right now.”

 

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