Youngstown council stalls on water tanks repair plan

YOUNGSTOWN

Despite the water commissioner’s statements that hiring a company to manage and repair the city’s water tanks is “critical,” city council didn’t approve legislation to authorize it today.

“Time is of the essence with this,” Water Commissioner Harry L. Johnson III told city council.

Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th, said, “Everyone is in favor of it, but we have some specific questions.”

Johnson responded that he addressed council’s questions in a committee meeting about a month ago. Council will have another public utilities committee meeting soon and the vote on it at its next full council meeting, said Councilman T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd.

The ordinance would allow the board of control to hire a company at an annual cost between $450,000 and $750,000 to manage, maintain, repair, clean the interiors and paint the exteriors of the seven water tanks owed by the city.

For the complete story, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com