VERO BEACH — Voters went to the polls Tuesday to weigh in on whether or not they want the City of Vero Beach to sell its electric utility to Florida Power and Light, and with all ballots counted, they have overwhelmingly supported selling.
A total of 3,663 Vero voters cast ballots. The total number of registered voters in the city is about 10,500.
The vote came out 2,335 in favor of selling the electric utility to 1,328 in opposition to selling – or 64 percent to 36 percent.
The vote represents the culmination of more than four years of work for the people who have been involved in the sale effort since 2008 when it was a long shot. The tide began to turn in 2009 when electric rates soared to 58 percent higher than FPL and Charlie Wilson and Brian Heady were voted onto the city council. A second wave of pro-sale council members were elected in November 2010 to usher in negotiations to solidify a deal.
The contest got nasty at times, with political action committees battling it out for every vote. Opponents of the sale claimed that the deal would lead to the erosion of city services, including the police department.
“I am excited that the people were able to see through the disingenuous campaign tactics and vote for the best interest of this community,” said Vero Beach Utility Commission Chair Scott Stradley, who waved signs and worked on the sale issue for two years and often spoke to the city council from the public podium urging a vote for the sale.
FPL spokesperson Sarah Gatewood and several FPL representatives joined nearly 50 local supporters of the sale at Councilwoman Pilar Turner’s house.
“The biggest thing is that we’re so appreciative of the Vero Beach community. We’ve been working with the city and the community for more than two years and we’re pleased to have their support. Hopefully we close the sale as soon as we can,” Gatewood said.
By way of the referendum, the voters gave their stamp of approval to a February vote of the city council to accept the $179 million purchase and sale agreement with FPL.