§ 4-07. Utilities Department.

A.

The governing authority of the utilities department shall be the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority. The authority shall consist of those members of the City-Parish Council whose Council districts include sixty (60) percent or more of persons residing within the boundaries of the City of Lafayette as they exist on the date the charter becomes effective or as they may be changed in the future. If the boundaries of the City of Lafayette are changed, the latest census reports of the United States Bureau of the Census shall be the basis for determining the Council districts including sixty (60) percent or more of persons residing within the City of Lafayette.

B.

The director of the utilities department shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the authority, in accordance with provisions included in current or future bond resolutions and covenants.

C.

The director of utilities shall direct and be responsible for:

(1)

Production and distribution of electricity.

(2)

Water production, treatment and distribution.

(3)

Sewerage collection, treatment and disposal.

(4)

Utility engineering services.

(5)

Supervising contract construction work for the utility system.

(6)

Maintaining utility equipment in cooperation with the central garage.

(7)

Reading of utility meters.

(8)

Other such activities as may be directed by the President and the authority which are necessary or incidental to the operation of the utility system.

D.

Nothing in this charter shall in any manner affect franchises and contracts in existence at the time this charter becomes effective for the remaining life of the aforementioned franchises and contracts.

E.

The Lafayette Public Utilities Authority, subject to approval by the President and the City-Parish Council by ordinance, may expand the area of end user electric service only into areas authorized by R.S. 45:123 or other controlling state law, or into areas annexed into the City of Lafayette by the City-Parish Government. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority may enter into contracts with governmental bodies exclusive of the City-Parish Government and other public or private utilities for other than end user service.

F.

The utility department shall function in accordance with conditions included in current or future bond resolutions and covenants except that the reference to "city" therein shall refer to the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority.

G.

Funds paid by the utility to the City-Parish in lieu of taxes shall be used only for programs and services within the City of Lafayette.

H.

The authority shall fix rates, incur indebtedness, approve the utility budget, and approve proposals for the improvement and extension of the utilities.

I.

A person residing in an area served by the utility department may appeal to the authority any proposed rate increases or issuance of bonds. The decision of the authority shall be final subject to appeal to the appropriate courts.

J.

The authority shall submit annually to the President and members of the City-Parish Council a report on the operations of the utility department and projections for the future.

K.

City-Parish Council Members serving on the authority shall receive no additional compensation.

(Reprint of January 2010)