LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – The Lafayette Utilities System is not for sale.

 

Monday night, the Lafayette City-Parish Council unanimously approved a resolution expressing their opposition to any sale, partnership, or third party management agreement of LUS.

 

Earlier on Monday, KLFY was first to report that NextGEN Utility Systems announced they are withdrawing their offer to manage and operate LUS.

 

The news of the company withdrawing their offer, was on everyone’s mind at the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority meeting.

 

“How can you say you’re going to provide better service at lower prices,” questioned Terry Huval, former LUS Director.

 

The LPUA is the governing authority of LUS.

Councilman Kenneth Boudreaux for District 4 authored a resolution requesting a transparent request for the proposal process. It failed.

 

“If you’re going to bring something here that’s going to bring out the masses in concern about what should or should not happen, do it very publicly and let it be competitively,” said Boudreaux, who passionately defended the resolution he authored.

 

Then the entire City-Parish Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing any sale, lease or management of LUS.

Councilman William Theriot with District 9 authored the resolution.

 

“The council has chose to make the City of Lafayette Utilities and it’s employees a priority. The next step is to find the best LUS Director that we can, to move LUS forward and to continue in it’s sucess,” said Theriot.

 

The former director of the Utilities System was against the sale all along.

 

“There’s going to be some great innovations because of the decision made here today. To say no, we’re not letting somebody else buy our Utility System. It’s ours and we’re going to use it for the best that we can for the whole community,” said Huval.

 

Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux applauded the council for listening to their constituents.

 

“We still have a lot of difficult conversations, but again the Council in my opinion listened to the people, and made their decision tonight on what they’re hearing from the public,” said Robideaux.

 

One concerned resident I spoke with tonight says he’s hopeful the same resolution will be on the LPUA’s agenda in the coming weeks, as they’re the governing authority of LUS, to send that clear message that LUS is not for sale.

 

The search for a new LUS Director will now begin.
The interim director for LUS is currently Jeff Stewart,  no word on if he will want to be the permanent replacement.

 

Robideaux says the city will need to publicly advertise the open position.