Council delays decision on consultant for utility acquisition study to September meeting

The Superior Common Council voted unanimously on Aug. 19 to postpone consideration of a proposed contract with RAF Tillis for consulting services to evaluate a possible acquisition of utilities operated by Superior Water, Light and Power.

Councilor Sweeney moved to postpone the item, saying the city should have more time to review the consultant’s scope, ask specific questions tailored to Superior and check comparable financial data from other Wisconsin utilities before proceeding. “What we buy today seriously affects what we do tomorrow,” Sweeney said, noting concerns about financing, staff capacity and a historically high failure rate for major utility ventures.

Councilor Mauch, sitting in debate, argued the Public Works Committee had already done considerable work and that a consultant was necessary to give the public and council the data required for any future decisions. After debate, an amendment changed the postponement date from the second meeting in September to the first meeting in September. The amended postponement passed by roll call, 9-0.

The item was presented as a next step in a multi-stage process; neither the consultant’s final scope nor a contract amount was adopted at Tuesday’s meeting. Councilors repeatedly emphasized that the council itself, and ultimately the public, would be responsible for any final purchase decision. Staff said the consulting engagement would examine all three utilities and provide analysis that could inform whether acquisition would be feasible for Superior.

The council separated the RAF Tillis contract from other Public Works Committee recommendations and postponed only that contract for further review. The remaining Public Works recommendations were approved the same evening.

The item will return to the council at the first regular meeting in September for further consideration.