Country Living in the City: Decision on City Services Could Begin a New Day

CENTRAL — The decision by Central Mayor Mac Watts to select IBTS as the new city contractor provides hope for a new day in Central.

IBTS was the low bidder to administer Central’s master privatization contract.  It also received the highest scores from the Mayor’s Committee on City Services.

We commend the committee and the mayor on their decision.

Now the contract between IBTS and the City of Central is being negotiated.  We trust that the transition from CH2MHILL to IBTS will go smoothly between now and July 1, when IBTS is scheduled to begin providing City Services.

Both the City and CH2MHILL agreed in their original contract to handle a transition smoothly.  In addition, IBTS pledged that it could handle the transition effectively.

Central is in a unique position, being the only city in Louisiana which has completely privatized all city services.  Privatization can be a very good thing.  Just visit Disneyworld to see a fully privatized community.  But, on the other hand, very few people live in Disneyworld.

Disneyworld is a wonderful place to visit, but the Disney Corporation doesn’t have to answer to residents who have their own ideas about running things.

We believe one of the essential ingredients for making privatization work is total transparency.

The taxpayers should know how their tax dollars are spent.  Louisiana’s Constitution, as well as our Public Records Law and Open Meetings Law demand the same level of openness and transparency in a privatized city as in a city run in a more traditional manner.

IBTS has promised to be completely transparent, and as a non-profit organization, it will have to be.

After July 1, we hope and have every reason to believe that we will be able to report to you fully on how Central’s tax dollars are spent and how decisions are made.

There have been many hallmarks in Central’s recent history: Incorporation of the City of Central, creation of the new school system, the first elections, voter approval of the new school complex, and the decision to privatize city services.

We believe the decision to choose a new city contractor is of that order of magnitude.  For Central, it offers a new day and provides the promise of a better and more harmonious future for this community.

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News