Council Advisor Tapped to Run Water Agency

Ron Deaton, the top advisor to the Los Angeles City Council, was appointed Tuesday as general manager of the troubled Department of Water and Power, the nation’s largest municipal utility.

The appointment by the DWP governing board requires confirmation by the City Council, which is expected to come swiftly.

“I don’t see a scenario where Ron doesn’t get the support of the council,” said council President Alex Padilla. “But, given the state of affairs and the problems at DWP, I think council members will have a lot of questions.”

Deaton would be the fourth person to head the troubled agency this year, after federal and county grand juries subpoenaed records on DWP contracting practices, a citizens group sued to overturn an 11% rate increase, and the city controller launched an audit of a public relations contract amid allegations that the agency was overcharged.

DWP Board President Dominick Rubalcava said Deaton, 61, of Seal Beach brings an impeccable reputation to the agency and an understanding that the DWP needs to do a better job of showing the public the good things it has accomplished.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of your caliber, your experience, your expertise and your knowledge,” Rubalcava told Deaton after the board announced its decision.

The board agreed to give Deaton a three-year contract, beginning Dec. 1, with a starting annual salary of $310,000. As chief legislative analyst for the City Council, he receives $286,000 a year.

He would take over an agency, with 8,100 employees and a budget of $3 billion, that provides water and power to 3.8 million Los Angeles residents.

Mayor James K. Hahn, who appointed the DWP board and nominated Deaton, said he was pleased with the board’s action.

Deaton said he planned to overhaul purchasing and public relations operations to address problems that are the focus of audits and investigations.

“There are some difficulties, but we will be able to change a few things, and the public will feel a lot better about the agency,” Deaton said.

He would replace David Wiggs, who resigned last week for health reasons.

Part of his responsibility has been to advise the council on DWP issues. Most recently, he put together the council’s plan for increasing the DWP’s portfolio of clean, renewable energy from 3% to 20% by 2017.

He initially resisted committing to 20% renewable energy without escape clauses in case the goal proved to be too expensive compared with energy from the Mojave and Utah coal-burning plants the agency uses.

“I am concerned,” said Lee H. Wallach, co-chairman of the Los Angeles Interfaith Environmental Council. “I wish he had a little more personal stake in the health and environmental future of this community.”