BOONE, Iowa—The Boone City Council, after lengthy discussion and two votes that would have delayed moving forward with a proposal to contract for Operations and Maintenance service with U.S. Water Services Corporation, voted 5-to-2 directing staff to complete negotiations for the service. Earlier votes, one to halt the move to privatization of the operations and one to seek other proposals failed on 2-to-5 votes.  City Council Members Holly Stecker and Elijah Stines voted for both.

The Council was asked by citizens to delay their action to allow the community to have a better understanding about the proposal. Many also supported the current employees. There are three city staff members at the Water Treatment Plant and the Waste Water Plant.

Boone Mayor John Slight said on KWBG Tuesday that the concern has been about being able to find suitable replacements as employees retire or leave for other positions. The most recent Utility Superintendent, City Engineer Dan Scott left for a better offer in Altoona. He had replaced Wayne Schwartz who left for Norwalk. They had replaced long time Utility Superintendent Roy Martin who had retired.

Slight emphasized that the city is not selling the plants and will still be responsible for setting rates and taking care of capital projects and the distribution and collection systems.