After hearing a presentation from representatives with Clearwater Solutions during an August 1 board meeting, members of the Lumberton Board of Aldermen will take some time to decide whether to contract with that company to privatize the city’s Public Works Department.
Mayor Quincy Rogers said Clearwater’s bid came in slightly higher than the city’s annual budget for the Public Works Department, so aldermen agreed to put the matter under advisement.
“(Clearwater) said that any problems we had, they would be able to tweak it to fit our needs, but right now it’s in the consideration stage,” he said. “The aldermen are looking at everything as we speak, and no decision has been made as of yet.
“We’ll revisit Clearwater after everyone has had a chance to look at the services and the dollar amounts.
If the city were to privatize its Public Works Department – which oversees water and sewer, among other operations – Clearwater would come in to assume that department’s duties. City officials have taken the last couple of months to decide whether that measure would be more affordable and feasible than performing in-house operations with the Public Works Department, hence the presentation at the August 1 meeting.
“We’re looking at getting our money’s worth, as far as the city is concerned, with water, sewer and streets – things of that nature,” Rogers said last month.
Rogers said one of his biggest concerns is making sure that if the city did contract with Clearwater, that all the Public Works Department employees would retain their jobs and benefits.
“That was one thing we talked about, and (the Clearwater) representative) assured me that would happen,” Rogers said. “I want to make sure our people don’t lose their jobs or their benefits. “That’s going to be a big factor in going with Clearwater.
“If they can’t guarantee me that (our employees would keep their jobs), then this would be probably something I would veto.”
Since last November, when the former director of the Public Works Department resigned, the city has contracted with a water and sewer operator for that position’s duties.
“With Clearwater, that would eliminate us looking for that (director position), because they have those guys already on staff,” Rogers said. “So that’s another thing that would help us out a great deal – us not worrying about us having a director, someone that’s certified in water and sewer.”
In August 2022, members of the Petal Board of Aldermen voted to begin contract negotiations with Clearwater for privatization of its Public Works Department. The city took a similar measure several years back, when it privatized its trash pickup through Waste Pro, which currently handles that service.
