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Resident urges Wichita council to protect municipal water from privatization; staff say no active talks
Summary
A local resident asked the council whether the city has discussed selling or privatizing water and recommended a resolution to keep the system publicly owned; council and staff said past P3 analysis found privatization not in the city's interest and they are not pursuing privatization.
During public comment, a resident who identified themself as Yandone urged the council to safeguard Wichita's municipal water supply and asked whether any discussions have taken place with private equity firms about privatization. "Water is more than a utility. It is a human right, a shared resource necessary for life itself," Yandone said, urging the council to consider a resolution declaring permanent public ownership.
Council members and staff replied that they are not aware of ongoing negotiations to privatize the system. Council member Ho Heisel said she did not believe there had been any such discussions and asked whether a resolution would be binding; staff explained that resolutions are statements of intent and not legally codified legislation.
City staff recalled that the council and staff previously evaluated a public-private partnership for the new water treatment plant but concluded it was not in the city's best interest, citing cost, risk and federal funding considerations. City manager Lee said the earlier analysis found P3 elements were not cost effective and carried unacceptable risk; staff said they do not see factors changing that would warrant revisiting the approach.
No formal resolution was proposed or adopted at the meeting; the exchange clarified that the city currently has no plans to privatize its water system.
