DPW reorganization beginning to take shape

The idea of privatizing some of the functions of East Baton Rouge Parish’s Department of Public Works was discussed in 2010, but quickly died amid opposition from an employee union and Mayor Kip Holden. But while privatization may be off the table, possible aspects of a long-discussed reorganization should begin to emerge by early next year, says David Guillory, DPW’s interim director. HNTB and SSA Consultants, which are working on the plan along with a steering committee, are expected to present officials with some recommendations to consider. The Metro Council would have to approve any significant changes. Sewage, for example, might have its own department, Guillory says. “There could be four or five different parts with their own separate budgets,” he says. “We’ll know a lot more in the next three or four weeks.” The goal would be greater efficiency and effectiveness, he says, not necessarily saving money. As guest of the Baton Rouge Press Club luncheon today, Guillory also discussed the response to Hurricane Isaac. He says by the time the next storm season arrives, all of the parish’s pump stations should have generators, adding that the city-parish is looking at retrofitting older traffic signals so that they’re generator-ready. When the topic of burying power lines came up, Guillory said it’s already being done with new lines but that discussions with Entergy have not yet yielded a reasonably cost-effective way to bury old ones. —David Jacobs