Consultants Predict Financial Benefits of Utility Collaboration

The task force studying potential collaborations between several Louisville utilities has one more week to finalize its recommendations to Mayor Greg Fischer. The group heard from a consultant today about some potential financial benefits to a merger.The utility task force was assigned to analyze the services provided by Metropolitan Sewer District, Louisville Water and Metro Public Works and determine what functions could be consolidated. According to the consultants advising the group, there are numerous financial reasons for at least some type of collaboration.The consultants analyzed three different scenarios, ranging from sharing some services to a full-out merger between MSD and Louisville Water. They estimate that eventually the steps could save anywhere from $14 million to nearly $24 million every year.The utility task force is scheduled to present its final recommendations to Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer next week.