Campbell officials laying blame for water department deficit

CAMPBELL

With a water fund now six figures in the red, Campbell city officials are casting blame.

The water fund closed May with a negative unexpended balance of $107,569 and a negative ending balance of $163,779, according to a report provided by Finance Director Michael Evanson. The fund ended April $96,043 in the red.

Mayor Nick Phillips points a finger at his predecessors, whom he characterized as “putting a Band-Aid” on the water department’s fiscal problems. For their part, city council members George Levendis and Juanita Rich have suggested that the mayor should fire the finance director.

A water-rate increase, which the mayor announced June 9, reignited rancor over the water department’s finances.

Read more about the situation in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.