Mike Fitzgerald

I am writing about the Kirkwood (Mo.) Electric Department, which has run into financial problems because of overspending of its capital upgrades budget, much of which occurred in secret under its former director. Because of these problems, the city of Kirkwood, Mo. terminated the employment contracts of its electric department director and city manager, raised rates nearly 15 percent and suffered a Moody's credit downgrade. I want to talk to experts about how the problems that hurt Kirkwood could've been avoided through better management, planning and oversight.