"BROTHERS IN ARMS" dire straits

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The City of Painesville is unique. That is, it is different from most cities where the focus is on providing basic city functions/services for residents such as police, fire, and building inspection services. It's different because it preforms several utilities functions, specifically electric, water, and sewer unlike the major Lake County cities around them such as Mentor, Willoughby and Eastlake. Many people seem to feel that these utilities are like the crown jewels and should remain under city control (sacrosanct). Perhaps that is true. But shouldn't the governing body of Painesville ask whether this sacrosanct view should be investigated? Shouldn't Council ask the Administration whether these utilities add value to the city? And, should council ask whether the city has the operational expertise and logistical to run these utilities? And, do these facilities have operational economies scale  to be run more efficiently and effectively as a (non-government controlled) utility firm? Further, would the assets of these utilities (customers, plant, equipment, revenue) and liabilities (wages, pension liabilities, healthcare liabilities) be of greater value if they could be sold at a profit and the funds used for basic city functions/services?

The question on the table is whether Council has seen an independent economic study done answering what is the value and it's resident's to continue to preform the utility functions or, alternatively, sell these utilities and possibly be able to use these funds for other purposes, such as basic city functions/services? That is, could funding from a sale of these assets/liabilities be used for police, fire, road and other infrastructure improvements over a substantial ( to be determined via study) number of years? 


Great questions I've always wondered why in a county of 230,000 people one municipality with 20,000 people had to have their own electric, water, and sewer utilities? Now if the City Administration can prove we as a community are saving money be owning and operating these businesses well fine. But what I have watched over the last fifteen years I'm not so sure we have a bargain. I do believe an independent economic study should be taken. After AMPGATE, as well as funding a $9,000,000 water line with the contract with Concord Twp. up soon are these purchases wise?
I guess my question comes down to is how important are these utilities and are they being run like our roads and street's?

Oh, the word sacrosanct? meaning, to important or valuable to be interfered with. sacred, untouchable, inalienable.