City hires consultant to look at DWP

With a DWP fiscal watchdog position still vacant nine months after it was created by voters, the City Council on Friday decided to spend $350,000 on an outside consultant to study the need for an emergency water rate hike. Daily News.

Voters authorized the ratepayer advocate position in March, following a bruising battle over electricity rate hikes between the City Council and the Department of Water and Power.

But, with city officials now estimating the position won't be filled until at least mid-January, DWP officials say they need to raise rates now and can't wait until the new office - tasked with reviewing rate proposals before they are approved - is established.