The York Area Regional Sewer Authority was formed in response to information the City was considering selling the wastewater treatment plant. The Authority is comprised of five municipalities that utilize the city system and whose residents would be impacted as a result of a sale.

The Authority’s sole purpose is to own and operate the wastewater treatment plant to maintain local control as well as keep rates for residents and businesses low. The sale of the wastewater treatment plant to York Area Regional Sewer Authority is in the community’s best interest. An authority provides local ownership and accountability. This provides for a heightened sensitivity to utility rates and annual increases. An authority is accountable to its customers, not its investors.

• West Manchester Township
• Spring Garden Township
• Manchester Township
• York Township
• North York Bureau

While West York also leverages the city wastewater treatment plant for overflow services, they are not included in the Authority because they are owned by a private entity and not managed by a municipality. York City is also not involved due to the City leadership directly overseeing the sale. Other municipalities are not primary users of the wastewater treatment plant and if they do use it, only use in emergency situations.

Based on the parameters of the RFP distributed, the Authority did not meet the requirements to submit a response as bid documents only allowed for the purchase of all assets and the Authority’s focus is only on purchase of the wastewater treatment plant. When the City was asked to consider an alternative bid scenario that would allow for bids to purchase only part of the assets, this request was denied.

Unfortunately, we don’t have the answer and you would need to ask the Mayor. Our multiple requests have been denied as he has been advised by his attorneys not to meet with us. We want him to know we only want what is in the best interest of the city and its residents which is to maintain local control of the wastewater treatment plant in order to avoid rate increases.

The sale of the wastewater treatment plant to the Authority is in the community’s best interest.  An authority provides local ownership and accountability.  This provides for a heightened sensitivity to utility rates and annual increases.  An authority is accountable to its customers, not its investors.

The Authority municipalities understand and appreciate the financial pressures the City of York is feeling. The Authority intends to provide much needed capital to the City through this transaction but balance that with the future control and operational cost associated with the wastewater treatment plant. The sale of a publicly owned asset is a one-time opportunity. We also believe it’s in the best interest of all parties the City become a member* of the Authority and maintain an equal vote in order to represent the best interests of its residents and business owners. The City would have an equal seat and voice to influence future management and operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

The transfer of the wastewater treatment plant to the Authority is in the community’s best interest. An authority provides local ownership and accountability. This provides for a heightened sensitivity to utility rates and annual increases. An authority is accountable to its customers, not its investors.

In sum, the Authority will provide invaluable financial assistance to the City and allow it to maintain the voice of City residents and businesses through maintaining local authority control.

In order to avoid the “Doomsday Budget” crisis the Mayor and the City of York is experiencing, the Authority can purchase the treatment plant at a fair market price in the next 60-90 days giving the City the financial resources to meet its financial obligations (where as an investor-owned purchase would not be finalized until 2022).