Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES May 14, 2025, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Craig Carter, Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA General Comments: Jim Konish Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion passes with all in favor, minutes from April 2025, approved. Public comments: Donald Sheppard Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Jack Jacobs Approved 1 G. CHAIR COMMENTS Congratulated the GRU Administration staff on their hard work in regards to bond rating and support. CEO commented that it was the staff from Budget, Finance and Accounting (BFA) that did all the work. H. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Angela Casteel, Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Donald Sheppard I. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Vice Chair Haslam spoke to the SB700 (Fluoride bill). Director Carter spoke to Mr. Hasting's PRR, he is complying and offered his personal phone for review at any time. Director Skinner spoke to SB700 bill and GRU's plan to comply with bill. J. CONSENT AGENDA K. CEO COMMENTS CEO spoke to concerns brought up during General Public Comment. Spoke to Fitch bond rating report and how it was positive towards GRU being run by an Authority Board. Gave update on GRU's membership with The Energy Authority (TEA) and the exit plan. A new Utilities Attorney has been hired and starts on Monday, May 19, 2025. L. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Kiersten Ballou gave update on order from Judge Wright in regards to April 2, 2025 hearing and the next steps. M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2025-376 March 31, 2025 Budget to Actual Comparison (B) CEO gave a presentation on the FY25 budget update. Chair Lawson congratulated the CEO on the presentation. Hoped that labor would be closer to budget. CEO stated that in regards to labor, GRU is actually lower. Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from the CEO. 2  Heard 2. 2025-379 GRU FY2026 Budget: Presentation of O&M Expenses, Capital Fuel and Projected Rate Impacts (B) CEO gave a presentation on the proposed FY2026 budget. Chair Lawson spoke to the expectation that at some point in the future GRU will have rate increases in regard to GRU's bond agencies, Director Carter seconded the thought. Vice Chair Haslam asked how long it takes to get reimbursed by FEMA, CFO responded. Chair Lawson asked for clarification in regard to number difference in actual budget and projected budget. Director Carter commented on UPIF advantage Director Jacobs commented on GRU's debt reduction plan and thanked GRU on their success. Vice Chair Haslam, advised the GRUA board is trying to help the citizens, advising GRU is headed in the right direction. He thanked the GRU staff. Recommendation: The Authority hear a presentation from the CEO. Heard 3. 2025-380 State of the Utility, Monthly Update March 2025 (B) COO Thomas Brown gave an update on the State of the Utility (operational areas) for March 2025. Director Jacobs asked about GRU's recruiting efforts for open positions, what are the responses. COO responded. Vice Chair Haslam asked for more clarification regarding the preventable accident that happened to a GRU staff member. COO Brown responded. Debbie Daugherty, Water/Waste Water Officer, provided commentary on the video presentation, highlighting the work completed at Haile Vice-Chair Haslam joined the meeting at 5:12 pm. Chair Lawson joined the meeting at 5:12 pm. 3  Recommendation: The GRU Authority hears a monthly update from the utility’s operational areas. Heard N. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2025-378 Utilities Appendix of Fees, Rates & Charges for Fiscal Year 2026 (B) Jim Konish spoke to the CEO's comments on SLAs during CEO comments. Director Skinner spoke to the change in charges for GRU customers with W/WW charges. Vice Chair Haslam feels that GRU staff are being transparent. Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Jack Jacobs Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution as written. Roll call vote taken with all Directors voting affirmative. Approved as Recommended 2. 2025-377 Resolution Adopting the Gainesville Regional Utilities Budget for the Fiscal Year Beginning October 1, 2025 and Ending September 30, 2026. (B) Public Comment: Jim Konish, Chuck Ross, Donald Sheppard Director Jacobs spoke to the matter of GRU's TEA exit. CEO spoke to GRU's position with TEA. Chair Lawson appreciated the CEO's budget presentation. CEO addressed concerns regarding customer disconnections. Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Robert Skinner Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed budget resolution and authorize the chairman of the authority to submit the budget 4  to the City of Gainesville consistent with the requirements of Chapter 2023-348, Laws of Florida. Roll call vote taken with all Directors voting affirmative. Approved as Recommended O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner thanked GRU for their help regarding outages and sewage spills. Director Carter stated that he had notified the Governor's office that the June meeting will be his last meeting, as his term is over. Vice Chair Haslam stated that board members serve voluntarily and accept the challenges of their roles. He expressed strong disapproval of attacks on employees. P. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison Tracie OSteen, GRUA Staff Liaison 5