MARK SCHUMANN

Invoices from Vero Beach’s utility counsel, Schef Wright, totaled $227,986.71 from Jan. 1 through Nov. 27 for his work in representing the City on several fronts.

Responding to a challenge from the Indian River County Commission filed with the Florida Public Service Commission, Wright billed $59,181.10. The County’s attorney, Floyd Self, charged $81,433 through Oct. 31.

It cost the City $63,304.21 for Wright’s representation in mediation sessions with the Town of Indian River Shores.  The Shores filed a lawsuit against Vero Beach last summer and has since been engaged with the City in state-mandated mediation.  Both parties agreed last month to put the case in abeyance until March 2. Through Nov. 17, the Shores was billed $218,412 by its special counsel, Bruce May and the law from of Holland and Knight.

Wright has also been negotiating with the Orlando Utilities Commission to lower Vero Beach’s cost of wholesale power, and he has been working with City staff to identify other opportunities for lowering rates.  Through Nov. 26, Wright billed $45,439.93 for his work in helping the City to lower electric rates.

Because Vero Beach is still under contract with Florida Power & Light, Wright has also worked with FPL representatives, officials with the Florida Municipal Power Agency and others to seek ways to conclude the sale of Vero Electric before the contract expires at the end of 2016.  Wright billed $60,058.47 from early January through Nov. 17 for work on the power sale.

The combined running total for utility-related legal billed for the City, County and Shores topped $500,000 for 2014.  If the Shores ultimately pursues its lawsuit, Vero Beach’s electric customers and Shores’ taxpayers will likely bear legal costs in 2015 that will far exceed $500,000.