[MEETING TO ORDER]
[00:00:04]
>> FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY BOARD MEETING DATED FEBRUARY 17TH AT 2:00 P.M.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. PRAY WITH ME, LORD, WE'RE THANKFUL ON YOUR GRACE AND MERCY AEMPOWERS AND PROTECTS US AND ANG KNOWLEDGE EVERY GOOD GUILTY COMES FROM YOU AND THANKFUL FOR THE GIFTS THAT YOU HAVE GAVE TO THE CITY IN THE FORM OF CITY LEADERSHIP, FPUA LOWERED BOARD, FPUA'S LEADERSHIP AND STAFF.
WE PRAY THAT YOU WOULD BLESS EACH ONE OF THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY HELP BRING POSITIVE IMPACT TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE ASK THAT YOU RELEASE WISDOM AND INSIGHT TO HELP TIED THE LEADERSHIP AND BOARD THAT CONSTANTLY MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE WITH THE ADRELIABLE AND FRIENDLY SERIOUS FOR GENERATIONS. WE ASK THAT YOUR HAPPENED WILL CONTINUALLY BE UPON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS, KEEPING THEM SAFE AND GIVING THEM THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO BRING CONTINUAL ADVANCEMENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. AND BRING SAFENESS AND WE PRAY ALL OF THIS IN IN JAZZER' NAME, AMEN.
JESUS' NAME, AMEN. >> AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION
UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> MADAM CLERK, WOULD YOU
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> PREPONDERANT. >> MRS. DAVIS?
[A. SET THE AGENDA]
>> MR. CHESS. >> PRESENT. >> WE'RE LOOKING TO SET THE
AGENDA, DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING? ARE WE OKAY? >> MOVE APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> BENTETT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. DAVIS? >> YES, MA'AM
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES, MA'AM, MISS GIBBONS. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MOVING FORWARD ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING NO MOVEMENT, WE'LL MOVE
[C, APPROVAL OF MINUTES:]
FORWARD. DID EVERYBODY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THE MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING?THERE'S NUG TO BE ADJUSTED OR I GET A MOTION. >> MOTION, APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL. >> ROLL CALL)
[D. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE MOVING INTO THE CONSENT AGENDA. DID HE HAD BEEN HAVE A OPPORTUNITY THERE, OR IS THERE ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE PULLED BEFORE OUR PROCEEDING?
>> NO, MA'AM. >> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MRS. DAVIS? >> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUTTEDSS.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBONS. >> YES, MA'AM.
[E.1. Resolution UA 2026-04 Water Rates]
>> SO WE'VE MOVING FORWARD TO THE REGULAR AGENDA AND PASS TO MR. CISNEROS.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. TODAY STAFF IS PRESENTING RESOLUTIONS FOR A SECOND AND FINAL READING TO ADOPT THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY ENOUGH FOR FPUA WATER AND WASTEWATER. THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS HAD A FIRST READING ON FEBRUARY 3RD WITH ALL REQUIRED ADVERTMENTS AND NOTICES AS REQUIRED PER FLORIDA STATE STATUTES. THE INDEX ADJUSTS ARE ISSUED BY THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ON YEARLY BASIS AND LOU FOR MUNICIPAL UTILITIS TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION. IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENSURE CONSISTENT ADOPTION TO AVOID RATE SHOCK AS EXPERIENCED IN PAST. WATER AND WASTEWATER, WE'RE ASKING FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL READING FOR WATER/WASTEWATER RESOLUTIONS. THE FINANCE MANAGER WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM AND IT'S A SHORTENED PRESENTATION FROM A COUPLE OF
WEEKS AGO.TCH THANK YOU, MR. KRUSE NORRIS. >> GOOD MORNING, MAYOR HUDSON, MADAM CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS. TODAY I WILL BE DOING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROPOSED INDEX ADJUSTMENTS. SO ON TODAY'S AGENDA WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT UTILITY RATES AND ADJUSTMENTS. THE COMMUNICATIONS THAT WENT OUT TO OUR RATE-PAYERS, AND OUR RECOMMENDATION FOR THE BOARD. SO AS YOU CAN REMEMBER FROM OUR PRESENTATION LAST TIME THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE ESTABLISHES THE INDEX, DONE SINCE 1993 AND ALLOWS UTILITY COMPANIES TO ADJUST RATES FOR INFLATION AND DEFLATION WITHOUT A LENGTHY RATE CASE, WHICH BENEFITS BOTH THE UTILITY AND THE CUSTOMERS. THEY USE THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT DEFLATOR AND IN 2025 THEY EBB AND NEW INDEX 2.23% REFLECTED YEAR 204. THEY MADE THE PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT ON DECEMBER 17TH OF 2024, AND THE FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT ON MARCH 31ST OF 2025. SO IN OUR RATES REVIEW, THE BOARD APPROVES OUR BUDGET THAT IS BUILT WITH THE INDEX INCREASE IN MIND. WE DO THIS TO MAINTAIN PACE WITH INFLATION, AND TO COMBAT THE RISING COSTS OF MATERIALS THAT ARE NEEDED FOR OUR OPERATIONS, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, AND TO MEET
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OUR SYSTEM HARDENING REQUIREMENTS. IN 2022 AS A REMINDER THE BOARD VOTED TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL INDEX ADJUSTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR DEBT ISSUANCE. SO THIS AGAIN IS THE EXAMPLE OF THE NOTIFICATION THAT WENT INTO THE BILLS FOR OUR RATE-PAYERS.NOTIFYING THEM OF THE PROPOSED INCREASES. THE FIRST READING WAS FEBRUARY 3RD, AND TODAY WE'RE HAVING THE SECOND READING FOR WATER AND WASTEWATER AS A REMINDER YOU ALREADY APPROVED THE ELECTRIC AND GAS RESOLUTIONS AT THE LAST MEETING. SO FOR A WATER CUSTOMER THAT AVERAGES 6,000 GALLONS, THEIR CURRENT BILL IS $56.32 AND THEY WOULD RECEIVE A $1.27 INCREASE FOR A NEW BILL OF $57.59. AND ON THE WASTEWATER SIDE, FOR AN INDUSTRY STANDARD 6,000 GALLONS, THEIR CURRENT BILL IS $69.38 AND ONCE APPROVED THEIR BILL WOULD INCREASE TO $69.89. AGAIN WE HAVE A COPY OF OUR MONTHLY BILL COMPARISON WHICH THIS IS A PROJECTION FOR MARCH OF 2026. AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WE WOULD BE AT $266.37 FOR A CUSTOMER THAT HAS ANG INDUSTRY AVERAGE OF ,000 KILWATER HOURS FOR EGALLONS EACH OF WATER AND WASTEWATER. SO OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOARD TODAY TODAY IS OBVIOUSLY THE SECOND READING OF THE TWO RESOLUTIONS, 2026-04 WATER AND 2026-05 WASTEWATER AND WE'RE REQUESTING THE APPROVAL OF BOTH OF THOSE RESOLUTIONS.
HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE
BOARD? I OPEN THIS UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AS WELL. >> YOU HAVE TO OPEN UP EACH ONE INDIVIDUALLY. I'M DOING STAMPERIE'S JOB HERE. I'M SORRY.
>> THAT IS OKAY. I'M HOOKING TO YOU OASK EITHER ONE. OPENING RESOLUTION UA2026-04, WATER RATES, SEEING FOR LOOKING FOR ANYONE MAKING COMMENTS, LIKES LIKE WE HAVE NO MOVEMENT.
IF WE CAN GET A MOVEMENT FOR APPROVAL OR QUESTIONS? >> DOES SHE HAVE TO READ IT.
>> OH, YES, YOU NEED TO READ IT. >> RESOLUTION UA2026-04 A RESOLUTION AMENDING SUPERSEDING AND RESCINDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICES FINISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY VIA RESOLUTION NO. UA2025-O3 AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 12 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE RATES, CHARGES, FOR WATER SERVICES FINISHED BY THE UP FORER UTILITIESES AUTHORITY.
PROVIDING FOR A 2.23% INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER AND VOLUME CHARGES BASED ON THE 2025 FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX AND PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL INDEXING PROVISION ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, SCRIBERNERS ERRORS REVEAL
RECEIVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAM CHAIR, SO UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAVE BUILT THIS IN THE BUDGETING, AND THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION DOES GIVE US THE ABILITY TO DO THIS, AND BECAUSE OF THE PLANS THAT WE HAVE, AND THE WAY THAT WE NEED TO KEEP UP OUR SYSTEM AND PROTECT IT AND MAINTAIN IT AND THESE VERY
MODEST INCREASE I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION. >> I WILL SECOND IT.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT. >> YES, MA'AM,
>> MRS. DAVIS? >> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. HUDSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBONS? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> SO WE HAVE RESOLUTION ON THE SEGRESOLUTION, DO YOU MIND READING THAT ONE FOR US DO YOU
HAVE TO READ BOTH SEPARATELY. >> YES. EACH INDIVIDUALLY AND OPEN EACH
UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING. >> RIGHT. RESOLUTION NO. UA2026-05 A RESOLUTION AMENDING
[E.2. Resolution UA 2026-05 Wastewater Rates]
SUPERSEDING AND RESCINDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA VIA RESOLUTION NO. UA2025-04. AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 12 OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA ADOPTING RATES AND CHARGES FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES FURNISHED BY THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY PROVIDING FOR A 2.23% INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER AND USAGE CHARGES BASED ON THE 2025 FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX.AND PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL INDEXING, PROVISION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION,
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SCRIBNER'S ERRORS, REPEAL, SEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. >> OPEN THIS UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. AND SEEING NO MOVEMENT, WE'LL CLOSE THAT AND IF THERE'S ANY QUESTIONS WITH
THE BOARD, OR A MOVEMENT FOR APPROVAL? >> I MOVE APPROVAL FOR RESOLUTION UA2026-05. WASTEWATER RATES BE -- I MAKE A MOTION TO -- I MAKE THE MOTION.
>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. DAVIS? >> VERM.
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> VERM. >> MRS. GIBBONS.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, REGULAR AGENDA COMMENTS
[F. DIRECTOR COMMENTS]
FROM THE DIRECTOR TODAY. >> YES, MA'AM, I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT TODAY. OUR NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE MARCH 3RD AT 4:00 P.M. RIGHT? YES. AT 4 P.M. AT THE ENERGY SERVICES CENTER, CONDUCTING SOME TRAINING REQUESTED BY THE BOARD AND WE'LL BE MEETING THERE TO
CONDUCT THAT TRAIN . }ING EXCELLENT. >> THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR THE
BOARD TODAY, MADAM CHAIR. >> ANY COMMENT? >> S NO COMMENT.
>> S ANYTHING FROM THE BOARD MEMBERS? NO ALL RIGHT, WELL THIS MIGHT BE THE FASTEST
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.