Flint- It was NEVER about saving money

Emails reveal Flint EM and state advised not to join the KWA — it was never about saving money
Posted By Allie Gross on Sat, Feb 13, 2016 at 12:35 pm

New emails released in Gov. Rick Snyder's Friday doc dump reveal that the Michigan Department of Treasury and Flint's Emergency Manager Ed Kurtz were advised to not join the Karegnondi Water Authority, on several occasions, before their April 2013 announcement that the city would in fact be joining KWA. The revelation raises a series of questions about the motivations behind the decision to reject a more-cost-effective offer from the Detroit Water and Sewer Department, especially since much of the narrative surrounding the water-switch has do with austerity and cutting-costs.

These new emails, however, suggest this was may not have been the case.

In November 2012 the Michigan Department of Treasury sent out a SOW (Statement of Work) searching for a contractor who could "provide an analysis of the water supply options for the City of Flint to assist the Department of Treasury and the City of Flint in determining the best available option."

For the last few months of 2012 through the spring of 2013, Flint wrestled with an enormous decision: Should the city sign an updated 30-year contract with DWSD or should it join the KWA, a new plan that would entail building a costly pipeline to Lake Huron. While the decision would effect thousands — and there were definitely an array of opinions on the matter — the choice ultimately rested in the hands of two individuals: Kurtz, the then-emergency manager, and Andy Dillon, the state's then-treasurer. Michigan law state's that in cities with emergency managers all expenses over $50,000 must be approved by Michigan's Department of Treasury — and so Kurtz would make a recommendation and Dillon would give the final OK. (yes, Flint city council did vote on the decision but it was more symbolic and heavily pressured — more on that in a bit).


much more

http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2016/02/13/emails-reveal-flint-should-never-have-joined-kwa-andnbspit-was-never-about-saving-money