“City Councilwoman Pilar Turner has expressed concerns about revising the City’s contract with the OUC. Turner’s appointees to the Finance Commission and the Utilities Commission, Glenn Brovont and Scott Stradley, both voted today to recommend approval of the ‘new deal.'”

Editors’ note: The City Council is schedule to consider proposed revision to the OUC contract Monday, Oct. 19 at 9:30 a.m., not at its regular meeting the following day, as was originally reported.

MARK SCHUMANN

After meeting for three hours in joint session today, Vero Beach’s Finance and Utilites Commissions voted to recommend approval of revisions to the City’s wholesale power agreement with the Orlando Utilities Commission. The Finance Commission vote was 4-0, while Utilities Commission members lined up 5-2 in favor of the contract changes.

This morning’s meeting was a continuation of a four and a half hour joint session held earlier this week. For what amounted to nearly a full work day, Finance and Utilities commission members questioned special counsel Schef Wright on the terms of an agreement that is estimated to save the customers of Vero Electric some $51.8 million between now and 2023, and another $67.9 million between 2024 and 2029.  Expressing concern over the City’s original 2008 agreement with the OUC, many commissioners said they wanted to be clear about every provision in the revised contract.

Only city council candidate and Utilities Commissioner at large Laura Moss, and Bob Auwaerter, Indian River Shores’ representative on the Utilites Commission, opposed contract revisions City leaders say will lead to lower electric rates as early as November.

City Councilwoman Pilar Turner has expressed concerns about revising the City’s contract with the OUC.  Turner’s appointees to the Finance Commission and the Utilities Commission, Glenn Brovont and Scott Stradley, both voted today to recommend approval of the “new deal.”

The City Council is expected to vote on the revised OUC contract at a special call meeting Monday morning.  The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30.

Today’s vote:

Finance Commission:

Kathryn Barton – Yes

Glenn Brovont – Vice Chairman – Yes

Peter Gorry – Chairman – Yes

Noah Powers – Yes

Utilities Commission:

Robert Auwaerter – No

George Baczynski – Yes

Laura Moss – No

Judy Orcutt – Yes

Jack Shupe – Vice Chairman – Yes

Scott Stradley – Yes

Bill Teston – Yes

Utilites Commission Chairman Herbert Whittall is recovering from hip surgery.