Austin Energy GM finalist drops out

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Monday afternoon all six of the Austin’s City Council Members and Austin’s Mayor received this letter in their inbox.

The letter, signed by 13 influential environmental activists in Austin expresses their “grave concerns” about the two finalists left for the job of Austin Energy’s General Manager.

“These guys would never be characterized as visionaries or new leaders in the new energy arena,” says Brigid Shea, former Austin City Council Member.

Shea and the other 12 have been vocal advocates about adding a local/internal candidate to the list of finalist.

“It’s of genuine concern to us that the city is considering people from such tiny utilities that really don’t have what appears to be the breath and the depth of experience that would be required to run a complex first tier utility like Austin,” says Shea.

The two remaining candidates, Larry Weis and David Wright both run utility companies in California. According to American Public Power Association , the Turlock Irrigation District run by Weis is the 30th largest by customers served and the City of Riverside Public Utilities , run by Wright, is the 29th largest in the country. By comparison, Austin Energy is the 9th largest public utility in the country.

Over the weekend, Ronald Davis, General Manager of the City of Burbank Water and Power withdrew from the process. When reached by phone, Davis said he was made an offer from the Burbank City Manager that enticed him to stay in California.

Many were hoping Austin’s City Manager Marc Ott would fill the third position by adding an internal candidate. The City’s Human Resources Director, Mark Washington says they City will not add another candidate because they are confident with the two remaining finalist.

“I’ve been kind of shocked that there hasn’t been a greater willingness to listen to obviously knowledgeable people,” Shea says.

City Council member Bill Spelman says this position is simply to important. He would like to see the City Manager add a third candidate to the mix.

“It’s critical for the long term health of the utility, for the long term health of the entire city government that this is done right,” says Spelman.

The two remaining finalist will be in town on Wednesday meeting with city management. There will also be a chance for the public to ask questions. The finalists will be at Austin Energy’s Headquarters located at 721 Barton Springs starting at 6pm.