PSC Receives Overview from the Florida Governmental Utility Authority

"Customer education on the various types of utility ownership is an important part of understanding the Commission's oversight authority. FGUA is an example of a multi-jurisdictional entity for utility ownership which is governed by a locally-appointed Board, not the Commission." said PSC Chairman Mike La Rosa. "This enables participating local governments to maintain control of its water and wastewater systems, while maximizing private sector flexibility with government accountability."

Scott A. Towler, P.E., FGUA System Manager, highlighted some advantages of FGUA's unique structure. By having a seat on the FGUA Board, local governments can better influence service quality, provide a pool of professional resources, enhance bargaining power to improve credit, and finance system improvements on a tax-exempt basis.

FGUA management advantages, according to Towler, include the ability to provide efficient, centralized construction management, using professional private management and operations contractors. Other advantages include regulating rates, setting service standards, structuring inter-local agreements based on local policy preference, and the ability for local governments to acquire assets at any time.

Community and customer outreach are important FGUA priorities. Towler noted that FGUA has received state, national, and international recognitions for its successful public communication, education, and conservation outreach through collaboration with host governments on school programs, senior utility assistance, and homeowners association meetings. This year, FGUA's customer service quality assurance survey reached a 72 percent superior satisfaction rating.

About FGUA
The Florida Governmental Utility Authority was formed in 1999 through an interlocal agreement between Brevard, Lee, Polk and Sarasota Counties to make the best use of their common responsibilities to acquire, own, improve, operate and maintain water and wastewater facilities. By forming FGUA, these counties shared resources to provide drinking and wastewater service to citizens at a lower cost and with more local management. Today, FGUA has 84 systems in 14 counties across Florida. FGUA provides service to approximately 122,000 customer connections.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

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