Draft Agreement Between Oskaloosa Water And City Being Refined

Oskaloosa Water Department

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Water Board met in a special session on Monday afternoon to look over proposed changes to a 28E agreement between the Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department and the City of Oskaloosa. That agreement would essentially hire the OMWD to run the waste water treatment facilities.

The 28E agreement is an attempt by the two entities to lower the cost  of the city services to taxpayers and ratepayers. The concept of integrating the two departments came about from the cost saving study revealed in April of 2013.

In June, the board had the proposed agreement sent to their legal council for remarks, based upon concerns raised by the board of trustees. That agreement will now make its way to the joint services committee, which was formed to help facilitate better communication between the two departments.

Those comments and adjustments will then be reviewed by the city before a finished document is presented to both the water board and the city council for approval. Among those items being scrutinized, is if there would be any cost savings for the city in the arrangement.

Also discussed on Monday was the General Manager’s salary if the water department takes on the responsibility of waste water as well.

The board agreed to further explore the option, but also said the General Manager’s job description would need to be rewritten from its current form to one that would reflect the duties under the joint agreement.