Utilities (Infrastructure and Cost)

Below are commitments made by Jacques Roy as to how he would structure and manage the Utilities Department once he becomes mayor:

• I will search for the most qualified professional utility director possible—a person with the trained skills to match what that position requires, not a political appointee.
  
  
• I will ensure, in accord with the express mandate of the City Charter, this division level appointee is allowed to perform his or her job, which is what the Council desires in the first place; this energy/utility division head will work for the City and will not be an outside consultant.
  
  
• I will ensure, through careful legal analysis, that our public contracts for the provision of energy services are fair to Alexandria, and because of the uncertainty of gas and electric pricing in the market, a division and team of special assistants will be required to constantly monitor and then "lock in" gas at the right time and price

Important additional facts every citizen should know and understand:

• The City's utility fund typically balances the shortfalls in our budget, so that shortfalls can be essentially passed on to citizens in the form of an unapproved tax!  However, with proper monitoring by the administration, this can be avoided so that the council is not placed in the awkward position of "micromanaging" this fund. 
  
  
• The City utility is an "enterprise fund," meaning it is a fund with the purpose of showing a profit for the City of Alexandria; however, while profit is necessary, the fund should not be used to make such a profit at the expense of taxpayers who must choose between paying exorbitant utility bills and food or medicine—adjustment and help in tough times is appropriate.
  
  
• Small business is greatly affected by these bills, and particularly businesses which operate on discretionary monies of people—health clubs, some restaurants, video rentals, and theaters —suffer tremendously; this, in turn, has a "ripple effect" on our quality of life and, ultimately, our tax base.