R. Anthony Mills was sworn in today as the City’s first Chief of the Office of Water Advocacy and Customer Appeals (WACA). During a ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Brandon M. Scott administered the oath of office.

Interim Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Richard J. Luna, colleagues, and stakeholders were in attendance to show support for Mr. Mills’ leadership of the Office of Water Advocacy and Customer Appeals, which was created under the City’s landmark Water Accountability and Equity Act to serve as a neutral arbiter for resolving water billing concerns.

"At DPW, our guiding motto is 'Equity in All We Do.’ I am confident that Mr. Mills will put this principle into practice as he works to serve Baltimore City residents daily,” said Interim Director Luna.  

Since December 2022, Mr. Mills has served as Acting Chief of the Office of Water Advocacy and Customer Appeals. In addition to assisting residents with water billing concerns, the office provides guidance and recommendations on broader DPW rules, regulations, policies, and procedures that may impact water and wastewater costs.

“I am committed to ensuring that the Office of Water Advocacy and Customer Appeals develops processes that are grounded in equity and focused on the rights and protections of our water and wastewater customers,” said Mr. Mills.

Most recently, Mr. Mills served as the Associate Director for the Civic Works YouthBuild program. There, he created the current program framework, which has realized an 800% increase in youth who have received their high school diploma or GED. Mr. Mills is pursuing a doctorate degree at Morgan State University School of Education and Urban Studies.

“Mr. Mills’ broad sphere of experience and commitment to Baltimore as a resident and active advocate in the community augments the great leadership team here at DPW and the important equity work we do,” said Marco K. Merrick, DPW’s Chief of Equity and Environmental Justice.