Fort Pierce Utilities Authority

The meeting involved setting the agenda followed by actions taken under the Consent Agenda. Key items approved included a Blanket Purchase Order for Flexsnap Cable for system expansion with Graybar Electric Company, Inc., the purchase of servers for the Security Camera Project from Dell Marketing Corporation, and budget approvals for the Treasure Cove PUD project and the Kings Landing - Electric Re-route Project. Additionally, approval was granted for a Contract for Bio-Hazard Remediation Services with FL Todd Holding Co LLC dba Florida Emergency Cleaning, a Small Utility Enterprise Agreement with Environmental Systems Research Institute Incorporated (ESRI), renewal amendments for the ArcFM Small Utility Enterprise License with Telvent USA, LLC, and the renewal of Automated Utility Design and Utility Datahub licenses with Spatial Business Systems, Inc. During the Regular Agenda, following a public hearing, the Board adopted Resolution UA 2026-04 concerning Water Rates, implementing a 2.23% increase based on the 2025 Florida Public Service Commission Annual Price Index, and adopted Resolution UA 2026-05 concerning Wastewater Rates, also implementing a 2.23% increase.

The meeting agenda included setting the agenda, public comments, and the approval of the previous meeting's minutes. The Consent Agenda involved several items for approval: FPUA Monthly Community Activities for March - April 2026 (for information only), renewal of Microsoft Office 365 licensing with Sentinel Technologies, Inc. for a five-year term, and two separate five-year contract approvals for VMware Cloud Licenses through Sentinel Technologies, Inc., one for FPUA and one for FPUANet, both utilized for mission-critical systems stability and cybersecurity compliance. The Regular Agenda included the second reading and adoption of Resolution No. UA 2026-07 to amend the Personnel Rules and Regulations concerning Employment Procedures, Ethical Standards, and Commercial Drivers License repayment terms. The Board also conducted a public hearing for the second reading and adoption of Resolution No. UA 2026-04 (Water Rates) and Resolution No. UA 2026-05 (Wastewater Rates), both featuring a 2.23% increase based on the 2025 Florida Public Service Commission Annual Price Index with an effective date of March 1, 2026.

Key discussions included an overview of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority website modernization initiative, which addresses the difficulty in updating the current system and emphasizes improved navigation, accessibility, and mobile functionality. The committee also reviewed the Budget Billing program, which recalculates monthly to keep bills within a 10% range of the previous month, noting that the previous annual true-up model has been discontinued. Committee members offered feedback on both topics, including questions regarding the development of a mobile application and the sustainability of the budget billing structure for customers facing increasing usage. Staff also provided updates on recruitment activities and planned agenda items for the subsequent meeting, including setting up the calendar for March 2026 activities.

The Regular Meeting agenda included setting the agenda, public comments, and consent agenda items. Key discussions under the consent agenda involved approving a blanket purchase order for Flexsnap Cable for FPUAnet system expansion, purchasing servers for the Security Camera Project, and approving budget requests for the Treasure Cove PUD and Kings Landing Electric Re-Route projects. Additionally, the Board considered a contract for Bio-Hazard Remediation Services, an enterprise license agreement for utility design software, and renewals for related enterprise licenses. The Regular Agenda featured public hearings and the second reading and adoption of resolutions for Water Rates (UA 2026-04) and Wastewater Rates (UA 2026-05), following initial readings at the prior meeting. Further regular agenda items included the adoption of a resolution establishing FPUAnet rates.

The board meeting involved several key agenda items. Discussions included the approval of the FPUA Benefit Plan Wrap Document restatement for regulatory compliance, and a notification regarding FPUA Monthly Community Activities for February-March 2026. The Regular Agenda featured public hearings and subsequent unanimous approvals for annual Public Service Commission (PSC) Index rate adjustments for Electric Rates (Resolution UA 2026-02) and Natural Gas Rates (Resolution UA 2026-03), both effective March 1, 2026. The first readings of Water Rates (Resolution UA 2026-04) and Wastewater Rates (Resolution UA 2026-05) were conducted, scheduling the second readings for February 17, 2026. Additionally, the board adopted Resolution No. UA 2026-06, establishing a new schedule of reduced rates for FPUAnet services. Director comments included an update on the next meeting and thanks to the team for their performance during the recent winter storm. Board Member comments commended staff on rate planning and forecasting.