*Update* at 8:05 AM Wednesday, The Bryan City Council approved the 2nd and final reading of an ordinance to shift hiring and firing power away from the BTU Board.
Approval of the second reading would direct the interim city manager to rescind a memorandum dated June 29, 2001, from the then acting city manager to the Chair of the Bryan Texas Utilities Board delegating authority to appoint and remove BTU employees.
"That ordinance created two different groups of people in our city that were competing," said Councilman Mike Southerland.
The agenda item gained attention after media coverage and an ad taken out in the Bryan/College Station Eagle Newspaper questioning the council's motives for putting the item on the statutory agenda. Councilman Chuck Konderla says a misunderstanding led many to believe that the council was planning to dissolve the BTU Board. However, Konderla told News 3 that was not the intention of putting the item on the agenda.
"I hope everyone took from the meeting tonight that the board is well respected and that we maintain the board serving at BTU." said Konderla.
During Tuesday night's council meeting, several council members praised BTU board members and General Manager Dan Wilkerson for the success of the utility company in keeping prices low and the power on. Wilkerson, says he wants to wait before giving his opinion about the council's decision, "We'll need to see about what they've said tonight into an operation."
Wilkerson says the decision won't have any impact on BTU customers, but he would not say if it will impact any of his future plans with BTU.
"I guess I don't really have any specific plans at this point so I guess I don't have a comment," said Wilkerson.
Several council members told NEWS 3 if the ordinance passes it's second reading, they have full confidence in the BTU board to advise the city manager.
"They do a fabulous job for the city. We have the lowest rates in the whole area," said Councilwoman Ann Horton.
The second reading of the ordinance is scheduled to take place at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at Bryan City Hall.
