Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority

Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority MINUTES May 13, 2026, 5:30 p.m. GRU Administration Building 301 SE 4th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32601 Members Present: Vice-Chair Haslam, Jack Jacobs, Chair Lawson, Robert Skinner _____________________________________________________________________ A. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 5:30pm. B. ROLL CALL C. INVOCATION Given by Vice Chair Haslam D. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE E. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Jack Jacobs Approved F. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Public Comment: Jim Konish Moved by Jack Jacobs Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1  1. Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority approve the minutes from the April 8, 2026, meeting (B) Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve the minutes from the April 8, 2026 meeting. G. CHAIR COMMENTS Chair Lawson had no comment at the time. H. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner briefly addressed his recent absence from prior GRU Authority meetings. I. CONSENT AGENDA Public Comment: Chuck Ross, Nancy Deren Director Jacobs provided statements in response to the public comments presented. Moved by Robert Skinner Seconded by Vice-Chair Haslam Approved 1. 2026-330 State of the Utility, March 2026 (B) 2. 2026-331 GRU March 31, 2026 - 2026 Budget to Actual Comparison (B) J. CEO COMMENTS CEO Bielarski delivered an update on major GRU initiatives, including news of a recently awarded federal Department of Energy (DOE) grant. Vice Chair Haslam asked who within GRU is responsible for identifying and applying for grants. CEO Bielarski explained that each department has its own staff who monitor opportunities and submit applications. Director Jacobs followed by asking which agency awarded the grant, and CEO Bielarski confirmed it was the DOE. 2  Director Jacobs then invited comments from the Energy Supply department regarding a public comment about rising fuel costs tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. CEO Bielarski provided a response. Director Skinner requested additional clarification on fuel costs, noting that GRU trucks in its fuel supply and is affected by increasing diesel prices. Chair Lawson thanked CEO Bielarski for the presentation and recognized the leadership team’s efforts, highlighting GRU’s engineering strength and system reliability. He expressed appreciation for the hard work of all GRU employees. Director Skinner asked for a clear, easy‑ to‑ read maintenance milestone spreadsheet outlining upcoming needs, including projected costs for a potential new generating unit, to support long‑ term planning. CEO Bielarski noted that the Energy Supply department already maintains such planning materials. Director Skinner also requested further explanation of the fuel adjustment and fuel levelization fund, and CEO Bielarski responded. Vice Chair Haslam emphasized his preference for maintaining and extending the life of existing generation units rather than building new ones, stating that continued investment in current assets is often more cost‑ effective. CEO Bielarski outlined GRU’s approach in that area. K. ATTORNEY COMMENTS Kiersten Ballou of Folds Walker gave an update on GRU's legal process and ongoing litigation appeals. Derek Perry expanded on this. L. RESOLUTIONS (Roll Call Required) 1. 2026-332 Resolution for Adoption of Local Mitigation Strategy Update (B) Scott Holowasko, GRU’s Utility Emergency Manager, delivered an informative presentation outlining how the utility approaches storm management, with a special focus on the Hazard Mitigation Strategy Grant program. Director Jacobs thanked Mr. Holowasko for his team's work in getting the awards after storm damage. No Public Comment. 3  Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve the resolution adopting the Alachua County LMS and authorize the Chair to execute the same. Approved 2. 2026-333 Resolution Authorizing Remarketing of Gainesville Variable Rate Utilities System Revenue Bonds, 2023 Series C, and Appointing a Remarketing Agent (B) Public Comment: Chuck Ross, Janice Garry, Jim Konish, Bobby Mermer. Director Jacobs offered remarks in response to points raised during Public Comment, and Director Skinner added further observations regarding those same public comments. Moved by Vice-Chair Haslam Seconded by Jack Jacobs Recommendation: The GRU Authority adopt the proposed resolution. Approved M. BUSINESS DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. 2026-334 GRU FY2027 Budget Presentation of O and M Expenses, Capital, Fuel and Projected Rate Impacts (B) CEO Bielarski shared the FY2027 Budget Presentation of O and M Expenses, Capital, Fuel and Projected Rate Impacts to the GRU Authority Board. Director Skinner made comments on the presentation and GRU's plan including the new IT SLA. Mark Benton reminded the Board that there was no motion on the floor tonight, staff will come back in June. Vice Chair Haslam commented on remarks made by CEO Bielarski during his presentation, including the debt reduction without increasing base rates. Director Jacobs made additional comments on information given during the presentation, including debt reduction. Chair Lawson thanks the staff for their hard work while maintaining GRU's reserve requirements without raising base rates. 4  Recommendation: The GRU Authority hears a presentation from the CEO. No motion tonight. Heard 2. 2026-335 Stormwater and Solid Waste Billing (B) CEO Bielarski stated that this item has been on the table for sometime and the City need a decision as they have put an item on the agenda for their next commission meeting to look into the rates being added to Property Tax billing using the Tax Collector/Assessor's Office. CEO Bielarski said he is for continuing this billing on behalf of the City, stating that he feels putting this sum on someone's bill as a one lump sum, can be difficult. He sees the positive in not having on someone's bill Director Jacobs shared his thoughts on this item. Vice Chair Haslam also shared his thoughts. John Power, from the Tax Collector's office was invited to the podium to give an insight on how the Tax Collector's office would bill citizens for Stormwater and Solid Waste billing. Chair Lawson asked for clarification on how students or other renters would pay for this bill if the Tax Collectors took over the billing. Mr. Power responded. Mr. Brian Singleton, Interim Chief Operating Officer for the City of Gainesville was invited to the podium to share the City's thoughts on this billing. Chair Lawson asked CEO Bielarski about the overall cost to GRU, CEO Bielarski responded. Chair Lawson shared his thoughts on the matter. Director Jacobs gave further thoughts on the matter. All directors had a discussion back and forth about the matter. CEO Bielarski and Mr. Power responded to questions from the Directors. Mr. Derek Perry shared his thoughts on the matter, including stating allowing the public to comment. Public Comment: Chuck Ross, Jim Konish, Nancy Deren. Director Skinner said that he is for keeping the billing for a year and that allows the City to look for other avenues to do this billing. Vice Chair Haslam asked for clarification on a comment made during public 5  comment. Mr. Singleton gave clarification. Further discussion was had amongst the directors. Recommendation: The GRU Authority approve and authorize its CEO to execute the agreement. Failed N. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT Public Comment: Chuck Ross, Jim Konish, Nancy Deren CEO Bielarski responded to comments made during General Public Comment. O. DIRECTOR COMMENTS Director Skinner addressed several remarks made during the General Public Comment. He also spoke about a rumor circulating regarding an AI/Data Center potentially coming to Alachua and worked to clarify any misconceptions surrounding it. In addition, Director Skinner highlighted several items he would like to discuss in future meetings, including the possibility of offering a promotional period during which customers could receive discounts on certain services, such as irrigation meters. P. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 8:32pm. _________________________ Kunti Nesbitt, GRUA Staff Liaison 6