Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

TO:	Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM:	City Manager David L. Corliss
CC:	Michael Eglinski, City Auditor
Date:	March 25, 2009
RE:	Westar Rate Case Intervention – Street Lights

I am recommending that the City formally intervene in the on-going Westar rate case now pending before the Kansas Corporation Commission.   The City Auditor, who is preparing a comprehensive audit of our street light “program”, and has recently provided the following interim report on this issue which includes items which should be included in our intervention.  As the Commission is aware, staff is not satisfied with our current street light program, including concerns regarding tariff rates, performance, lighting options, etc. and believes that – at a minimum – participation in the rate case may allow for better financial results and performance of our street light system.   We also believe, that pending the outcome of the audit, other options for delivering this service should be examined.

I will place a request to authorize City intervention before the Kansas Corporation Commission on the March 31, 2009 consent agenda.