Editorial: Willmar (Minn.) City Council must take action now on this utilities crisis
December 17, 2011 at 12:13 am in West Central Tribune
The Willmar Municipal Utilities and its commission have become dysfunctional and are in danger of costing the city of Willmar multi-millions over the next decade if the right decisions are not made in a timely manner. Continue Reading
Excellent editorial. Regardless of the outcome of this entire mess, the financial health of the City of Willmar and WMU must be protected. As this editorial points out, right now the financial risks are high, and must be brought under control.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
29 
1
wow.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
17 
1
My only question is this: according to Willmar City Charter, the Municipal Utilities Commission has the duty of running the utilities, including hiring the General Manager. Nowhere does it say that any of this needs to go through the city council. If I read this wrong, please show me where it says differently. If I read this correctly, please tell my why our elected officials would give absolute control over city business to an UNELECTED commission. Perhaps the Charter Commssion could look into this issue-it’s time that the council took back control from appointed cronys.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
17 
2
Purplegirl I looked at the Willmar city charter and it does appear that the City council can overrule the commission.
Subdivision 2. Powers and duties. The Commission shall have, subject to the over-riding power of the Council hereinafter provided, full control of the operation and management of the electric, water and district heating systems of the City and such other utilities as it may acquire; the full power of ownership and control of which in the City is hereby confirmed; and the employment of a General Manager. The Commission shall at the request of the Planning Commission prepare a five (5) year capital improvement budget and shall submit written copies of said budget to the Planning Commission and the City Council. It shall have the power to:
Like or Dislike:
13 
0
Thanks TD! I guess the words “full control” overroad the rest of it for me. I guess my question still stands however. I would have no problem with the commission being an “advisory board” but this full control stuff bothers me. They aren’t elected, and it’s not like a hiring process where the candidates are interviewd and vetted, etc. It’s an appointed office.
Like or Dislike:
13 
2
Way past time, purplegirl! The Willmar commision is starting to look as bad as some of the local governments out of the “B” movies from the ’70′s.
Like or Dislike:
14 
2
I agree with the editorial and would add one more thing: a gag order of sorts be invoked for all employees, management, commission members and council members immediately. I cannot BELIEVE that an article was formed out of employees willing to say the GM would likely not return. The legal ramifications of that article alone could be stunning. Do the WMU employees really believe they cannot be fired for such blatant disregard for their employer?! First Amendment rights are all well and good, but when it comes to commenting on outstanding issues such as this, their rights are limited by their employer’s best interests.
Like or Dislike:
12 
6
Doesn’t seem like ‘their employer’s best interests are anywhere near the best interests” are anywhere near the best interests of the city/county.
Like or Dislike:
12 
2