Representatives from Central Boaz, Claywood Park, Lubeck, Mineral Wells and Union Williams as well as the mayors of Parkersburg, Vienna and Williamstown and other local officials and residents attended a meeting Monday with the Wood County Commission and representatives of the state Public Service Commission to talk about consolidating local public service districts. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — A task force will be set up to look at consolidating local public service districts.

Local PSD officials met with the Wood County Commission on Monday as West Virginia Public Service Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Lane spoke on the issue of consolidation as she has been involved in such efforts around the state.

“Over the last five years we have talked about the consolidation of public service districts,” Commission President Blair Couch said.

Representatives were present from Central Boaz, Claywood Park, Lubeck, Mineral Wells and Union Williams as well as the mayors of Parkersburg, Vienna and Williamstown and other local officials and residents.

Lane said the idea of consolidation was not popular with some people, but there could be advantages in doing it, especially now with money coming in to the counties from the American Recovery Act. Some of that could be used on issues where a lack of money was a hindrance in the past.

West Virginia Public Service Commission Chairwoman Charlotte Lane spoke Monday before the Wood County Commission and local public service district officials about possible consolidation of the five local PSDs into a single entity. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Lane talked about more money being available for larger entities to do things like maintenance, operations and extensions as well as handle other needs.

“I am a firm believer that no West Virginian should lack water and adequate sewer services,” Lane said. “In other areas where consolidation has taken place it has been a big benefit.”

The commission would decide if consolidation is something they want to move forward with and the law provides the public with having public hearings, public comment and more, Lane said, adding the commission could decide to approve and the PSC decides whether to approve it.

“There are a lot of steps to go through,” Lane said.

Officials from the various PSD began listing concerns. The officials with Union Williams said they have some of the lowest rates in the area and asked how would they be impacted. Others felt Lubeck PSD had the highest rates locally. Others talked about bond issues they have out that will need to be addressed. Others were concerned about employees.

Lane said plans have been worked out in the past to address many concerns.

Others took issue with annual fees paid to the PSC from each district which they think should be redirected locally since the county commission was taking more of a role in determining rates.

Officials asked for a map with all the districts’ boundaries defined as well as their rates, including the systems serving the local cities. A number of the PSDs reach into the surrounding counties and some of the city systems reach outside their city limits.

The commission asked for names to be submitted by Thursday from each public service district for people to serve on a task force which will look at ways the county’s public service districts could be consolidated into one entity.

“They would come up with a game plan about how to do this,” Lane said. “It can be done in phases or all at once.

“No obstacle is too big if we work to do this.”

The commission would plan to approve the recommendations on Thursday and the first meeting of the task force would be set up.