Council considers giving Engen full authority to pursue Mountain Water
“To local elected officials, the fight is about money, morality and even a legacy for the next generation.
On Monday, the Missoula City Council holds a public hearing on granting Mayor John Engen authority to contract for services related to the city’s quest in court to force the Carlyle Group to sell Mountain Water Co. to the city.
There’s little question they will forge ahead, but council members want to use the meeting as a chance to take the pulse of the community.
In the condemnation case, the costs of moving forward – or of failing to seize the water utility in short order – are only starting to come to light.
Councilman Jon Wilkins said he believes the city should own the water utility, and he does not believe Carlyle has been honest in its dealings with Missoula. However, he has concerns about the ordinance under consideration.
“I have a rough time giving anybody a blank check. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Wilkins said in a recent interview.
Councilwoman Emily Bentley said litigation costs would hurt if the city loses, but the information she has seen about Mountain Water under a confidentiality agreement has given her confidence the city of Missoula will win its condemnation case in Missoula County District Court. She said she supports the risk, and many others do, too.”
Szpaller, Keila. Missoulian 1 November 2014.