I-TEAM: State commission will dissolve in October following WAFB reports

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The Capital Area Groundwater Commission, tasked with keeping the water safe to drink in a multi-parish area, will dissolve on October 1, following a series of WAFB I-TEAM reports that raised questions about the inner workings of the public entity and the amount of money it was spending.

The functions of the Groundwater Commission will now move under the Department of Energy and Natural Resources. All of the public entity’s 17 commissioners will be relieved of their duties. A lawyer for the CAGWC said the organization’s paid employees will transfer to the Department of Natural Resources, and it will be up to leadership there as to whether they remain employed.

Monday, the WAFB I-TEAM began asking questions about one of their commissioners, Jonathan Leo. Leo resides in Omaha, Nebraska, according to online postings. Lawyer Catherine Crawford represents the CAGWC. Crawford confirmed the agency has been flying Leo in and paying for his travel expenses to attend board meetings in Baton Rouge.

For months now, the WAFB I-TEAM has raised questions about the money CAGWC was spending. Executive Director Gary Beard said earlier this year his organization was fulfilling its legislative obligation and defending the functions of the commission.

“When I first got here, all the water extracted from the ground was self-reported, so anyone who owned a well would write down a number that they felt they had taken out of the ground, and their payment would be based on what they said,” Beard said.

Beard said that after he took over, he began making changes, and that upset certain people.

Greg Phares is a current Commissioner. Although he stopped short of alleging any wrongdoing by people who work at the commission or other commissioners, he believes the move to put CAGWC under the Department of Natural Resources will be a win for taxpayers.

“From talking to water system operators and engineers, those functions can be done more efficiently,” Phares said. “Any time you can save the public money on income taxes or their water bill government has an obligation to do that.”

Phares believes the move by lawmakers will serve those who use water well.

“I think that the work the commission has done can be done by DNR,” Phares said. “Both more expertly and at less cost. Many people on the commission, myself included, don’t have that expertise. I think the commission was probably well-intentioned 50 years ago when it was formed. The mission is the protection of the aquifer so future generations will have water and good quality water.”

Jonathan Leo and Gary Beard did not respond to our emails today.

Budget reports show Beard earns nearly $194,000 per year as the Executive Director. The commission meets about six times per year. Beard defended his salary earlier this year when asked about it.

“The money that is paid to all employees here is commensurate with the salary levels in industry,” Beard said.

The Commission is expected to have another meeting next month to go over budget items.

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