Robert Hugo Berntsson

The board meeting focused on several key items, including the presentation of a Certificate of Appreciation to a staff member for 20 years of service. Consent items included the approval of attorney invoices for Big W Law and Oertel, Fernandez, Bryant & Atkinson, as well as the acceptance of developer-contributed assets for the Esplanade at Wellen Park offsite utility extension. The meeting also addressed operational reports, capital improvement project developments, and financial statements. New business included an announcement regarding the opening of the candidacy period for Board seats.

The Board of Supervisors addressed several administrative and operational agenda items. Discussions included the selection of an Auditor Selection Committee, the approval of a replacement effluent pump for the water reclamation facility, and the procurement of two 12-inch cut-in valves for the collections and distribution systems. The Board adopted a resolution for Modified Phase III Water Shortage restrictions mandated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and established a corresponding citation enforcement program. Additionally, the Board authorized an amendment to an FDEP grant agreement for a booster pump station project, approved a partial easement vacation for a property redevelopment, and authorized a task order for engineering services regarding electrical upgrades at the South Water Reclamation Facility.

The Regular Meeting agenda included several key components. Under Consent Items, the Board was set to review and approve meeting minutes from January 8, 2026, as well as several attorney invoices from Big W Law, Oertel, Fernandez, Bryant & Atkinson, and Henderson Franklin. Also included in the consent section was the formal acceptance of Developer Contributed Assets totaling $12,164,893.57 from multiple projects. Discussion items included a potential transition of the 401K plan to the ADP system. Action Items covered the Second Amendment to a Corrective Non-Exclusive, Temporary Easement Agreement and the EFD Ground Lease Extension Agreement, which proposes extending the lease term for twenty years until March 15, 2046, and clarifies liability for PFAS. The Administrator's Report provided updates on Financial Statements, including a $1.9 million operating surplus for January, and operational reports for Water and Wastewater management.

The meeting agenda included service awards for multiple staff members. Key items for approval under the Consent Section involved the attorney's invoice from Big W Law, authorizing the Administrator to sign a proposal for the Quails Run I & I Rehab Project with GML Coatings, and approving a purchase order for Mader Electric Inc. Action Items covered WRF Plant 1 & 2 Rehab Painting Addendum, Hurricane Ian Building Repairs, V2/V3 Drywall Replacement Budget Amendment, and Lift Station 121 Rehab Project. The Administrator's Report included updates on water and wastewater operations, and financial discussions regarding the FY24 Budget, Property & Casualty Insurance quotes, and the July Financial and Investment Statements.

The Regular Meeting agenda included a Certificate of Appreciation for a Collections Manager completing 30 years of service. Consent items involved approving minutes from the November 13, 2025 meeting and authorizing payment for attorney invoices from Big W Law and Oertel, Fernandez, Bryant & Atkinson. Key action items discussed were the Special District Performance Measures/Standards & Annual Reporting Form for FY26 and RFQ 2025-142 for Engineering Services for the Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc., which was tentatively approved pending FDEP approval. Administrator and Department Reports covered November financial and investment statements, operational statistics for water and wastewater, updates on SAHM SRF funding, South WRF Improvement RFQ status, developer agreements (Publix Merchants Crossing, Sandpiper Pointe), and congratulations for the Wastewater Operations Manager on his upcoming retirement.