2004 Adopted Resolutions
72nd Annual Meeting
Boston

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MAYORS’ GUIDE TO WATER AND WASTEWATER PARTNERSHIP SERVICE AGREEMENTS

     WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Urban Water Council recognizes that federal government estimates place the need for investment in existing and new water and wastewater infrastructure at more than $550 billion just to comply with the requirements of the Clean Water Act; and

     WHEREAS, The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Urban Water Council has examined the need for water and wastewater infrastructure investment and has determined that local government currently provides 90% of the investment in water and wastewater infrastructure annually; and

     WHEREAS, local government normally finances water and wastewater infrastructure investments via municipal/revenue bonds, and that competition for infrastructure bonds for other uses are competitive and effectively limit the amount that can be directed towards water and wastewater infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, The Urban Water Council has urged Congress to eliminate state volume caps for Private Activity Bonds (PABs) used for water and sewer projects; and

WHEREAS, The Urban Water Council encourages Cities to consider the benefits of public-private partnerships in water and wastewater infrastructure (including public-private partnerships in the form of contract operations, design-build-operate arrangements, build-own-operate arrangements, or other appropriate arrangements) as a way to save money, to ensure adequate water supplies, to achieve compliance with environmental rules, enhance water service provision and to maintain and improve water and wastewater infrastructure; and

     WHEREAS, Local government experience in arranging long-term water and wastewater partnerships has grown and making informed decisions about partnership contract terms and conditions is important to protect the public partner, ratepayers and infrastructure asset, as well as the private party and infrastructure operator.

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors recommends that Mayors considering water partnerships review and consider use of the Urban Water Council Report- Mayors’ Guide to Water and Wastewater Partnership Service Agreements.