Two New Castle County Council members want to establish a commission to oversee the operations of the government's public works department.
Councilmen William Powers (D-Townsend) and Timothy Sheldon (D-Pike Creek), who head council's Special Services Committee, say a citizen-manned advisory board should be convened to oversee that department's day-to-day operations.
"As a result of the questions that have arisen relating to the department’s taking control of the treatment plant at Lea Eara Farms and its sewerage disposal, additional oversight is necessary for this department to act more efficiently and more cost effectively," Powers said.
The county took over operations of the Lea Eara Farms system, initially a private treatment facility built in the late 1990s, after the developer was unable to make necessary repairs to keep it functioning properly.
The board would consist of nine members, with council appointing eight members and the county executive choosing the chairman.
The Department of Special Services maintains and operates all county assets, as well as designs and oversees any construction on county property.
Responsibilities include all buildings, property, vehicles, sewer lines, pump stations and treatment plants.
"This county department performs duties that affect all taxpayers in New Castle County everyday," Sheldon said. "I believe that our citizens must be given the opportunity for input and oversight with regard to the actions of this department."
