Gainesville GRU; Residents Should Have Vote on Board Members

Gainsville Regional UtilitiesPhoto byPublic Use

Following a public comment section of the Gainesville Commission meeting, it was proposed to do away with Article 7, which give Governor DeSantis the power to appoint authority board members for GRU. (Gainesville Regional Utilities) "Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward is voicing his support for the city taking over the GRU Authority Board."

The city attorney is drafting the matter into an ordinance to be put on a near term ballot. All the current members of the board, which were appointed by DeSantis, have tendered resignations, following questions on city residency status.

Governor DeSantisPhoto byPublic Use

The GRU authority is being blamed for a $1.4 million dollar shortfall in the city revenue. " A media release from city management claims the utility stopped paying the city for services rendered over the past two years, creating a budget shortfall of $1,447,252 in the middle of the current fiscal year."

A GRU board member denies the allegation of stopped payment, saying the utility did not use the services and was therefore not obligated to pay for them.