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City of Gary, Indiana
Mayor Scott King
Population: 116,000 City Contact:
DESCRIPTION
OF PARTNERSHIP ARRANGEMENT The Gary Sanitation District (GSD) entered into a 10-year contract with White
River Environmental Partnership (WREP—a partnership comprising United Water
Services, Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux and IWC Resources Corporation) to operate,
maintain and manage the 60-mgd wastewater treatment and collection system. WREP
also will be responsible for managing the 28 pump stations. The contract term
began June 1, 1998. United Water Services took over as operator of the
wastewater plant and pumps, and GSD remains responsible for customer service
activities. ESTIMATED/ACTUAL COST SAVINGS— Capital
Upgrades, Consumer Rates, and Fees
WREP plans to make $840,000 in capital improvements to the plant. This
investment includes installation of new computerized controls, software systems
and an energy management system. The Partnership savings over the life of the
contract are estimated to be $20 million. GSD will retain responsibility for setting consumer rates and all
policy-making. WREP agreed to pay the City an up-front $10 million concession fee. The City
will commit $5 million from the concession fee toward capital improvements
recommended by WREP.
LABOR
RELATIONS All 144 GSD employees were offered jobs with WREP. They were guaranteed
benefits and compensation comparable to or better than what the City offered.
The employees are represented by AFSCME Local 3491 and have received additional
training and career development opportunities. |
J. Thomas Cochran, Executive Director
1620 Eye Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Telephone (202) 293-7330, FAX (202) 293-2352
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