VERO BEACH — A few hours after news broke that Florida Power and Light had sent a formal proposal to the City of Vero Beach offering $13 million to purchase the portion of Vero’s electric system and customers within the Town of Indian River Shores, Shores Mayor Brian Barefoot reached out to Vero officials in hopes a deal could be made.
Shores’ rate consultants said Thursday in a memo that the $13 million, if used to pay off a chunk of Vero’s debt, could provide an annual savings that would more than match what the city now transfers from Shores’ customers’ electric bills into the general fund.
Barefoot wrote in a statement about FPL’s proposal, “It offers an opportunity for the City and our Town to avoid the risks involved in protracted and costly litigation, and to finally put an end to our electric rate crisis.
“I want to reiterate that while we continue to believe that a sale of the entire Vero electric system to FPL is in everyone’s best interests, such a sale is not currently possible because of the Florida Municipal Power Agency’s continued intransigence,” he said. “However, FMPA has confirmed that it would not interfere with a partial sale of the utility system in our Town.”
Based upon public statements made by Vero City Manager Jim O’Connor, Mayor Dick Winger and other members of the current council, it’s unlikely Vero will jump at FPL’s offer, but Barefoot issued a strong plea anyway.
“I strongly encourage the City Council to seriously consider the sale offer FPL has provided. While I understand that this is an initial offer, it undoubtedly establishes a framework for the City, FPL and our Town to participate in meaningful discussions that could produce a comprehensive solution that benefits everyone, including all customers of the City,” Barefoot said.”
The Vero Beach City Council meets next on Tuesday and the offer from FPL is expected to be discussed, either by the council or by residents during public comment.
The first oral arguments in the Shores vs. Vero case in Circuit Court are scheduled for Sept. 18.
