New commission to dig into utility consolidation study next week

By Lisa ZahnerINDIAN RIVER COUNTY — In a joint session of the Board of County Commissioners, the Vero Beach City Council, the Indian River Shores Town Council and Fellsmere city officials, a new commission was launched to study the consolidation of water, sewer and irrigation water utilities.Chairman Wesley Davis called this morning’s meeting, which was held at the Indian River State College Mueller Center, to get some direction and move the utility issues “off center” by getting all the decision makers together. The fact that more than 30 elected officials and staffers from the various municipalities were on hand either to participate or to observe in this Utility Summit is a testament to the importance of utilities to the pocketbooks of ratepayers throughout the county.By working together, the municipalities are hoping to reduce rates and capital expenditures long term. Just after the opening remarks, Vero Mayor Sabin Abell proposed a motion — which was ultimately adopted by the county, Vero and the Shores — to create a commission with two representatives each from the county, Vero and Indian River Shores to agree on hiring an objective utilities consultant to examine the feasibility and costs of consolidation, cooperation and partnership between and among the various water, sewer and irrigation water systems. Commissioner Gary Wheeler suggested that the municipalities could save the estimated $75,000 cost by directing the various utility staff members to work together, but this idea was generally panned and Wheeler voted for hiring the consultant. Whatever the costs end up to be, the county, city and town will split it three ways.”The only way we’re going to get the straight dope on these things is to go with a consultant,” said Indian River Shores Councilman Michael Oschner.Chairman Davis agreed, saying that he thinks all sides should operate on a “trust but verify” philosophy.Commissioner Peter O’Bryan suggested appointing Commissioner Bob Solari to the group, since he was the one who spearheaded early efforts to unite the utilities, on behalf of his constituents on the south barrier island who are currently forced to get their water, wastewater and irrigation water services from the City. Davis, however, convinced the other commissioners that the financial expertise of staff would be needed on the mix of the group.The meeting was basically cordial, but tensions regarding county residents and Shores being on city utilities and revenues from utility bills being used to pad the general fund of the City were just under the surface.”The only thing I want to say is that you need to look out for what’s good for the customer base that you provide services to,” said Wheeler to Vero officials, in response to some statements made by the city that they were participating for the purpose of doing what is best for the “residents of the City of Vero Beach.”Serving on behalf of the county will be Erik Olson, director of utilties and Jason Brown, director of the office of management and budget. Vero’s representation will also consist of two staffers, Rob Bolton, director of the water and sewer utilities and Public Works Director Monte Falls. Having limited staff members, Indian River Shores appointed council members Michael Oschner and Gerard Weick to represent the interests of the town. Weick was appointed temporary chair of the committee in case a point of contact was needed for rescheduling or distribution of agendas.The commission is tasked with crafting a Request for Qualifications for a consultant, with the goal of getting someone on board within three months. Each partner in the venture will have one vote, ensuring that with three votes, there could not be a stalemate.Solari urged the city and county staffs to work diligently to gather all the information the chosen consultant will need, to speed the process along.”If we direct staff to get the info ready, that will clear the way for the consultant, the information should be ready to go,” he said.The Town of Indian River Shores is on the tightest schedule, as it will need to give the city its five-year notice in October 2011 whether or not it wishes to continue to be hooked onto city services after 2016.After the meeting concluded, Vero City Councilman Kevin Sawnick said he was pleased that the county, cities and the town were able to convene and have a constructive and civil discourse about the possibility of working together.”It’s important, even if it’s every two or three months, we should get together under the sunchine and talk about issues that involve all of us, there is no harm in talking to each other,” he said. “One thing I think we all need to talk about is jobs, it’s not just a city issue or a county issue,”Jobs could be created if the municipalities come to an agreement to regionalize water, sewer and wastewater utilities. Initial estimates for running the lines, lift stations and other infrastructure necessary to accomplish this are $38 to $54 million. That much investment, some of which could benefit from grant funding, could employ local construction workers who are unemployed due to the lack of demand for new residential and commercial buildings.The commission will meet under the Sunshine Act in public session at 9 a.m. Oct. 22 in the second-floor conference room at the Vero Beach City Hall.

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