INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Former Vero Mayor Warren Winchester, after speaking before the Indian River Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 16, followed up his appearance by sending Commission Chair Peter O’Bryan a detailed explanation of why January’s electric bills were so high for Vero customers. In a testy exchange of emails on the matter, Winchester tells the chairman “honorable leadership” is needed, while O’Bryan points out his constituents are “pissed off” about their soaring electric bills.In addition, O’Bryan points out numerous mathematical errors in the analysis provided by Winchester. “Please look at your PDF file again. It’s no wonder nobody trusts Vero Utilities, they can’t even add properly!” O’Bryan pointed out.The Commissioner then corrected the errors and sent back his calculations that the City of Vero Beach rates are 38.8 percent higher than Florida Power & Light for customers using 1,000 kWh and 35.2 percent higher for customers with higher power consumption.”It is this 35%+ higher electric rate that my constituents are PISSED OFF about! Then to top it off, you send out rate information with basic math errors and erroneous rates,” O’Bryan continued.Winchester responded, defending the city and asking the county to stop appearing to take sides with the detractors of the city’s electric system.”I had noted the error, and you are wrong about nobody trusting Vero utilities. My intent was only that you understand answers to questions of what the BCP (Bulk Power Charge) was and the impact of much colder then normal weather on the total bill,” Winchester responded.”Yes the bill is still too high, but I would ask you again to work as a group with the council and staff. Honorable leadership is needed and the mob mentality is damaging to the entire county,” he said.Winchester, who served as Vero mayor from March 1995 to March 1996, also made several references to Councilman Brian Heady, who had said he would update commissioners on electric issues at their Tuesday meetings at least once per month.”Again, I ask that you speak to the mayor, city manager, director of utilities or anyone besides Mr. Heady if you wish to have straight information,” Winchester wrote. “I’ll see you on Tuesdays, right after Brian.”Heady chuckled at the exchange, asking again that Winchester or any city official point out specifically what he said that was incorrect.”I have no problem with Warren Winchester out there talking. In fact, I wish he’d talk more,” Heady said. “The more he talks, the more he makes people understand the mess we’re in because it’s people like him who were in charge of the city and got us here.”Click on the attachment to view the analysis of electric rates. Below is the entire email exchange:From: WINCHESTER, WARREN Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 12:57 PM To: Peter D. O’Bryan; Wesley S. Davis; Gary C. Wheeler; Bob Solari; Joseph E. Flescher Subject: COVB / OUc Contract
Mr. Heady claimed that the OUC con tract was not available to him. It is on the COVB.org web site in the redacted and finished versions. Either he can’t read, or as Mr. Gabbard said, he is less than truthful.
Also, he told you that the finished version of the contract was taken to Staples and that it was given to them to copy. Both R.B. Sloan, the former director of Power generation and Sue Hersey testified that they had personally taken it to Staples late at night when all the changes were implemented, they then made and collated the copies and had them delivered by police to the council members.
Heady’s implication that some how it was out of the hands of City employees and open to compromise is therefore also inaccurate.
I urge you to look at the contract. When I asked for a copy after completion and read it, it took me roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes to read it.
Every part of the contract and the issues were more than adequately vetted in Utilities Advisory and Finance committee meetings in 2007 and 2008. Heady never attended a single meeting.
Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, but I believe your job is to lead and you undercut all the Vero Beach council and staff when you take the word of an individual who was never involved and still wants to criticize. I am disappointed with the disrespect you show to the council and to all the volunteers that worked so hard in this project. Talking to the press and appearing on radio shows to talk about the City doings without at least making an effort to verify a rumor is unprofessional.
I hope you will reflect on the words of the minister today..Blessed people, Limited resources, Working together and using our potential.
Wes’ trust but verify is good, and I hope you will take Mr. Gabbard’s advice when it comes to Brian.
Respectfully,
Warren Winchester
—– Original Message —–
From: Peter D. O’Bryan
To: ‘WINCHESTER, WARREN’
Cc: ‘Brunjes, Amy’
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 2:56 PM
Subject: RE: Info
Warren,
Please look at your PDF file again. It’s no wonder nobody trusts Vero Utilities, they can’t even add properly! They have a decimal in the wrong spot at the bottom under average cost per kWh. Example 0.0440 + 0.0740 = 0.118 + customer charge of 0.008 = 0.126, NOT 0.0126. Secondly, for above 1000 kWh, 0.069 + 0.074 = 0.143 NOT 0.0134. So they entirely blew the rate for above 1000 kWh! Jees, get a clue!
Please see attached excel spread sheet showing comparison of FP&L rates (per my Feb 3, 2010 statement from FP&L) and the City rates (as per your PDF file, but corrected).
Per 1000 kWh service, City is 38.8% HIGHER than FP&L.
Above 1000 kWh service, City is 35.2% HIGHER than FP&L.
My Feb 3 statement, for 1705 kWh service, electric cost is $165.03
Per COVB rates, for 1705 KWh service, COVB electric cost is $226.82, a 37.4% INCREASE over FP&L.
I acknowledge that in March, FP&L will have a increase in electric rate. However, it will be minimal and will in no way significantly close the gap.
It is this 35%+ higher electric rate that my constituents are PISSED OFF about! Then to top it off, you send out rate information with basic math errors and erroneous rates. So I ask you, can the mayor, city manager, director of utilities, or anyone add and give straight information????????????
Peter
From: WINCHESTER, WARREN Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 4:36 PM To: Peter D. O’Bryan Subject: Re: Info
I had noted the error, and you are wrong about nobody trusting Vero utilities. My intent was only that you understand answers to questions of what the BCP was and the impact of much colder then normal weather on the total bill. Yes the bill is still too high, but I would ask you again to work as a group with the council and staff. Honorable leadership is needed and the mob mentality is damaging to the entire county.
WW
From: Peter D. O’Bryan Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 4:41 PM To: ‘WINCHESTER, WARREN’ Subject: RE: Info
Warren,
I assume by BCP you mean the Bulk Power Charge (BPC)?From: WINCHESTER, WARREN Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2010 4:51 PM To: Wesley S. Davis; Joseph E. Flescher; Gary C. Wheeler; Peter D. O’Bryan; Bob Solari Subject: Fw: Info
I invite you to take a look at the attachment which should give you an idea of why bills were high for Vero electric even though rates have been reduced.
Pay particular attention to the chart showing the average temperature related to the historical norm and I think you will be able to at least partially explain to your constituents what happened.
Again, I ask that you speak to the mayor, city manager, director of utilities or anyone besides Mr. Heady if you wish to have straight information.
I’ll see you on Tuesdays, right after Brian.
Warren