Utility Task Force Will Present Recommendations to Fischer This Week

The utility task force studying a potential collaboration between the Metropolitan Sewer District, Louisville Water Company and Metro Public Works is scheduled to issue recommendations this week to Mayor Greg Fischer.The task force was appointed in January, after a scathing state audit revealed numerous inefficiencies within MSD. For the past four months, the group has been studying ways to improve efficiency and decrease redundancies between the city’s sewer, water and public works providers. With help from a consulting firm, they’ve identified cost savings. Now, all that’s left is their final recommendations.The ideas they’ll present to Fischer this week could range from consolidating various departments—like purchasing or fleet maintenance—to a full merger between MSD and Louisville Water. The consultants have estimated that eventually some sort of collaboration could save anywhere from $14 million to nearly $24 million every year.The group’s presentation is scheduled for 3:30 tomorrow.