MARK SCHUMANN

On a legal challenge that has yet to go to trial, the Town of Indian River Shores has been billed $626,745 by two law firms and a public relations consultant. When invoices for September work are received, that number will be even higher.

For services rendered in August, the Law Firm of Holland & Knight billed the Shores $33,153.89.  The Shores received additional August invoices of $3,785.50 from the Radey Law Firm and $4,506.25 from the communications consulting firm of Curley & Pynn.

The Shores is seeking to force Vero Electric to cease serving its Shores customers when the franchise agreement between the Town and the City expires in 2016.

With support from the Florida Public Service Commission, lawyers representing Vero Beach contend the franchise agreement is not superior to and does not override service territory assignments by the PSC.

In a similar case brought before the PSC by the Indian River County Commission, the PSC ruled that the expiration of the franchise agreement between the County and Vero Beach will not relieve Vero Beach of its right and obligation to serve customers within its existing service territory in the unincorporated areas of Indian River County.

The Indian River County Commission is appealing the PSC’s ruling to the Florida Supreme Court. On its legal challenge, the County has spent some $180,000.