Offer to buy was no stunt, Aqua's Pishkur says

The proposal presents 'a whole lot of opportunity,' Aqua Ohio's president says.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Aqua Ohio is serious about buying or leasing Youngstown's water system and the offer wasn't a publicity stunt, its president says.
Walter J. Pishkur, Aqua Ohio's president, sent a letter to Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams stating that he estimates the sale of the city water system would generate at least 50 million.
The city has absolutely no interest in selling or leasing its water system, Williams said.
"I think this has merit," Pishkur said. "I'm hoping we can present this idea. There's a whole lot of opportunity with this proposal."
The sale or lease of city water would make Aqua Ohio one of the largest or the largest property taxpayers in Youngstown, he said.
The letter comes as Youngstown waits for the conclusion of a 100,000 study to show how it can better use its water system as an economic development tool in surrounding communities.
The study will focus on the formation of Joint Economic Development Districts with townships and Joint Economic Development Systems with other cities. The report is expected to be finalized in mid-May.
Officials' concerns
Austintown and Boardman officials are concerned that Youngstown may want to annex portions of their townships through the JEDD process. Williams said the city isn't considering annexation and the JEDDs would provide financial benefits to the city and the townships.
Boardman trustees asked Aqua Ohio, which serves about half of the townships residents, to submit a proposal to supply water to all of Boardman. Youngstown supplies the other part of Boardman.
"We've been pulled into this because of the [annexation] threats the city's made to the townships," Pishkur said.
"We're starting to draw lines and establish battlegrounds. I think enforcing your will on communities is not" a good plan.
Where funds could go
The money Youngstown would get from a sale or lease of its water system could be used to fund key community projects, lower the city's 2.75 percent income tax rate, create jobs and address the crime rate, Pishkur said.
"The city of Youngstown needs revenue," he said.
"When they ask for JEDDs it's because the city wants income tax revenue, but that won't endear taxpayers in the townships."
Williams said the one-shot cash infusion from the sale of the water system wouldn't benefit the city in the long term.
Pishkur disagrees -- saying if that money was properly invested, it could be used for many years.
skolnick@vindy.com