GRU Authority member threatens to resign after failing to alter agenda

What was intended to be an easygoing meeting to discuss employee awards, the validity of bonds and a public radio system turned into an unorthodox 2.5-hour discussion with one Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority member threatening to resign after unsuccessfully modifying the agenda with several items.

The meeting started and ended with a long-winded series of requests from member James Coats, one of three board members who live outside Gainesville, who wanted to add discussions of legal issues facing the state over the board’s appointment, funds transferred from the utility to city government, previously approved utility rate increase, as well as GRU General Manager Tony Cunningham’s employment.

After failing to gain support, Coats offered to be the second board member to resign in as many meetings.

“Guys, I need to know if you want to work with me on this,” Coats told the three other board members. “I am packed and ready to go … If you don't want to work with me, simply raise your hand and I’ll resign.”

It was the board’s second official meeting after each was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Some have criticized the board’s demographic makeup − all white male Republicans − as well as most not being qualified to retain the seat. There is an ongoing lawsuit from Gainesville Resident United questioning the validity of the board.

House Bill 1645, which stripped away the Gainesville City Commission’s control of the utility, states that four of the five members must be city residents and GRU electric customers. After The Sun first reported that four of the five lived outside city limits, one member resigned. Chair Craig Carter is the only Gainesville resident, records show, though he acknowledged he didn’t apply for the position ahead of the state’s deadline.

Still, Carter, a former city commissioner with arguably the most GRU-related experience, attempted to be the peacemaker during the meeting, explaining to Coats how agendas are set and that he wanted to host a workshop instead to have an informal board discussion about a series of issues. The explanations didn’t seem to matter.

“I did in fact ask for these items to be put on and they’re not here,” he said “So, I am taking control as an individual on this board to say, ‘Hey guys we need to discuss this. We’re not up here as puppets. We need to have a hard conversation today, right now, about these things.’ Plain and simple.

Down one: GRU Authority board member resigns after residency requirements questioned

“I'm asking for support on this, guys. And if you can't support me, then why are we here?” asked Coats before referring to himself and the board as GRU’s CEO and questioning fellow board members on how many hours they’ve researching issues.

Those who spoke during public comment were among a small group of City Hall regulars who frequently criticize city leaders for most of their decisions and utility-related matters.

Local attorney and frequent GRU critic Jim Konish told the board they inherited an illegitimate budget because it was filled with politically motivated “pet projects,” though he failed to mention specific partisan issues. At the last GRU meeting, Konish openly invited board members to use his address to ensure they were qualified city electors and suggested they change their license information to avoid voter fraud charges.

Angela Casteel, who runs a Facebook group dedicated to criticizing Gainesville leaders, said she wanted Coats’ concerns heard, adding that the commission was complaining about HB 1645 while simultaneously raising rates.

“We have many people who have been seeing double bills, again,” she said. “Not double in months, but their bills have gone significantly up, and that’s a problem. This is what many of us have been having a problem with, is that the rates have been extremely high.”

Previous coverage: DeSantis breaks from bill, appoints 4th GRU Authority member not in Gainesville limits

Over the summer, the City Commission approved a 3% increase to electricity and 5% for wastewater. The estimated cost is expected to cost the average customer about $6 more a month. At the time of the rate increase, GRU had the seventh highest electric bills in the state, behind the cities of Ocala, Havana and Bushnell and investor-owned utilities Duke Energy, Florida Public Utilities and Florida Power and Light Northwest.

The city’s utility announced this week it was adjusting its fuel charge, saving customers about $5 a month. It’s the third such adjustment in the last year that places GRU bills about $30 lower than November 2022, based on 1,000 kWh. Konish falsely claimed during the meeting that GRU hadn't done so.

Since summer, however, GRU's bills have gone up. The utility now has second highest electric bills in the state, according to the Florida Municipal Electric Association.

Employing the city's charter officers

One of the concerns raised during the meeting, one shared by several GRU Authority members, was the employment of City Attorney Daniel Nee, who was the attorney in the city’s unsuccessful suit against the state. Board members expressed interest in possibly hiring another attorney, which would mean additional taxpayer dollars being spent.

Coats also wanted to discuss Cunningham's employment, but later clarified that he wasn’t looking to terminate him.

He said that he met with “hundreds” of people over the past month to discuss GRU issues, including members of Gainesville Residents United, the group suing the state. He said he wanted member Robert Hutchinson to be given extra time to explain the legal issues facing the Authority.

During public comment, Hutchinson mentioned how amending HB-1645 could resolve the legal conflict. Board member Robert Karow, however, said he didn’t feel it was the most appropriate venue for those concerns to be debated.

“This entire process is unnatural,” Coats said. “I want people who are opposing to have a voice.”

Coats also said he had a presentation prepared that he wanted to read aloud from the front of the room at the podium, adding that he is "animated," doesn't have a filter. and can’t sit still during the meeting.

“Alright, I see where this is going," Coats said. "Thank you, Craig Carter, I mean, Mr. Chair. Sorry, I’m not trying to get an attitude toward you but try to understand that I'm a very passionate individual."

Carter said he would do his best moving forward to ensure all requested items are placed on an agenda and added that he regretted not holding more public meetings as the board got up and running.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: GRU board member threatens to resign after failing to amend agenda