Stay tuned, Shores Mayor Brian Barefoot told town residents and electric customers, to see what the newly shuffled Vero Beach City Council does; after that becomes clear, the town will adjust its legal strategy accordingly.
Barefoot said the town would be willing to place its appeal of an important Florida Public Service Commission ruling in abeyance if it looks like the city is ready to reconsider Florida Power & Light’s $30 million offer to purchase the Shores customers. Or better yet, if there is progress on a full sale of Vero’s electric utility.
“I have a feeling things are going to move very quickly over there,” Barefoot said.
On Monday, Laura Moss, Lange Sykes and Tony Young were sworn in and Moss and Sykes were expected to join Councilman Harry Howle in forming a pro-electric-sale majority on the five-member Vero Beach Council
Howle had placed two items on Tuesday’s agenda, one asking the council to reach out to FPL about reviving the $30 million offer, and the other to talk about whether or not utilities attorney Robert Scheffel is the best legal counsel to represent the city going forward.
Activists who oppose a partial or full sale asked to speak Tuesday to argue their position from the public podium.
Should FPL resubmit its offer, Barefoot said, “We would have to take another vote to participate [in the sale] at our December meeting.”
Barefoot said the Shores had agreed to contribute $3 million of a $30-million purchase price to facilitate getting free from Vero’s electric utility, which has rates about 30 percent higher than FPL’s rates, adding that the $3 million would be spread over three year, and would be paid in the form of a surcharge on electric bills.
“Even with that surcharge tacked on, residents would be paying substantially lower rates,” newly sworn-in Shores Councilman Bob Auwaerter said
Barefoot acknowledged that Shores residents played an active role in the outcome of the Nov. 8 Vero Beach election, and he detailed why, directly addressing the leaders of the Indian River Neighborhood Association who railed against the slate of pro-sale candidates.
“As I explained to my friends over there in the Riomar neighborhood, you left our residents with no choice,” he said. “The city has never been willing to provide relief to our residents.”
Auwaerter said he would continue to represent the town on the Vero Beach utility commission and would continue to press the electric issue.
Barefoot pointed out that besides receiving $30 million cash if the council votes to sell the Shores customers, Vero Beach would be freed of the need to fund $3 million to $4 million in system improvements needed to upgrade the aging infrastructure in the Shores portion of Vero’s electric service area.
Beginning this week, Auwaerter said he thinks there will be greater scrutiny of the hired “experts” who have guided Vero’s policy on the electric sale and partial sale.
Barefoot scolded the Dick Winger-Jay Kramer-led Vero Beach City Council that has blocked a sale over the past few years, saying it has not worked in earnest to find an innovative solution to the electric problem. Now, perhaps the new Vero council members will.
“I think it’s energizing. We’ll all stay tuned,” Barefoot said.
The Shores Town Council meets next on Dec. 15, unless a special meeting is called.
