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Residents urge council to study making Bethlehem Water Authority independent
Summary
Several speakers urged City Council to initiate a feasibility study to convert the Bethlehem Water Authority into an independent authority like neighboring cities, arguing it could reduce conflicts and improve water management; no formal motion was made.
Multiple attendees asked City Council to consider studying whether the Bethlehem Water Authority should be reconstituted as an independent entity, a change speakers said would align Bethlehem with nearby Easton and Allentown and reduce political interference.
"If the Bethlehem Authority were a truly independent authority, much like Allentown and Easton," said Steven Entalax during public comment, the council would not be involved in routine authority operations and could limit perceived conflicts of interest. Stephen Antalics stressed that independent authorities can raise rates and manage operations without the same administrative constraints.
Speakers urged council members to have the "courage" to make a motion to initiate a feasibility study. City officials did not adopt a motion during the meeting; the issue was raised repeatedly during public comment and the council agreed to accept citizen submissions and consider study requests.
Council members and members of the public also discussed historical context, including a 1955 study and the creation of a City Center Authority decades ago, as background for current governance questions.
The meeting record shows public demand for further review but no formal council action to begin a study was recorded. Any future effort would require a formal motion, committee review and possible charter or ordinance changes.
