HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2001.03.08 - 26512MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION # 01082
BY: Commissioner Ruel E. McPherson, District #25
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - FORMATION OF PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE STANDING
COMMITTEE
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS more than 10 years ago, the telephone monopoly was broken up and
the market for long-distance phone service was opened to competition. Now it's
the electric utility industry's turn to enter the realm of open competition,
mergers and acquisitions; and
WHEREAS in Oakland County the deregulation of public utility services has
a significant impact on economic growth and productivity and to individual
consumers who depend on reliable and affordable service; and
WHEREAS Oakland County residents are also witnessing dramatic changes in
the entire telecommunications industry, including cable television, as well as,
air and land communications; and
WHEREAS the issues surrounding water quality, rates and governance are a
source of constant regulation and legislative proposals that requires local
elected officials and consumers to be vigilantly attuned and prepared to make
sound decisions; and
WHEREAS the Michigan State Constitution of 1963, Article VII, Section 15
provides that "any county, when authorized by its board of supervisors
(commissioners) shall have the authority to enter or to intervene in any action
or certificate proceeding involving the services, charges or rates of any
privately owned public utility furnishing services or commodities to rate payers
within the county;" and
WHEREAS with the overwhelming and ongoing changes in all areas of public
utility services in Oakland County, it is imperative that the Oakland County
Board of Commissioners take a proactive role in becoming educated regarding the
utility industry and its restructuring; understand the energy and
telecommunication needs of the business and residential ratepayers in
Oakland County; and carefully study the changing landscape of public service
utilities for opportunities to reduce costs and improve services for the citizens
of Oakland County.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners does hereby amend the adopted "Rules for Oakland County Board of
Commissioners Rule X.A. Standing Committee Structure" to create a Public Utility
Service Standing Committee consisting of (7) members comprised of four (4)
members from the majority party and three (3) members from the minority party;
and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners does
hereby amend the adopted "Rules for Oakland County Board of Commissioners, Rule
XI. Standing Committees' Responsibilities," by adding the following Section:
F. PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
(1) To receive, review, and recommend to the Board of
Commissioners all matters referred to it by the Chairperson,
and to provide liaison to the Board with:
(a) Electric utility service providers
(b) Telecommunications/Telephone service providers
(c) Energy utility service providers
(d) Cable communications service providers
(e) Water utility service providers
(f) Michigan Public Service Commission
(2) Review all public utility service policies affecting Oakland
County residents.
(3) Provide liaison with all Federal, State, regional and local
utility regulatory agencies and governments and local
ratepayers regarding public service utilities.
(4) Receive and make recommendations to the full Board regarding
opportunities to reduce public service utility costs and
improve services for the citizens of Oakland County.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Resolution #01082 March 8, 2001
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government and
Public Services Committees. There were no objections.