Editor’s note: At its meeting Feb. 2, the City Council allowed Pilar Turner’s proposed change in City Code to be moved on to a public hearing. That public hearing is set for Feb. 16.
COMMENTARY
“The only question is how Mayor Jay Kramer will vote. In his run for the County Commission, Kramer is walking a tightrope suspended between the interest of Vero Beach and those of a County set on weakening the City in any way it can. Let’s hope Kramer joins Old and Winger in protecting the interests of his current constituents.”
MARK SCHUMANN
At Tuesday morning’s City Council meeting, Councilwoman Pilar Turner plans to propose a change in City Code that could lead to a Utilities Commission dominated by members who are not residents of the City and who do not even life within the service territory of Vero Electric, much less the service territory of the City’s water and sewer utility.
Without question, Turner’s proposal will in the short-term result in a Utilities Commission lead by a chairman and vice-chairman, neither of whom are residents of Vero Beach. More importantly, the long-term consequence of Turner’s proposed quick fix to Scott Stradley’s residency issue could be still more outside influence in decisions of importance to the residents and taxpayers of Vero Beach.
Newly appointed chairman and long-serving member of the Vero Beach Utilities Commission, Scott Stradley, no longer lives in the city, or within the larger service area of Vero Electric. Councilwoman Pilar Turner proposed change to City Code would eliminate an existing requirement that members of the Utilities Commission live within the service area of Vero Electric.
In 2014, when Curtis Carpenter was appointed to the Utilities Commission by Randy Old, Stradley objected to Carpenter’s participation on the grounds that he did not live within the service area of Vero Electric.
The minutes of the Dec. 1, 2014 meeting of the Utilities Commission read, “Mr. Stradley said one of the things that was important when the Utilities Commission was reorganized last spring, in fact, Mr. Winger insisted on it, was that they have County representation. He thought that Mr. Carpenter was the only County resident on the Commission other than the Indian River Shores’ representative. He said each County resident on the commission needs to be a customer to be qualified to be on the Commission according to the Ordinance. He wanted to make sure as they go forward that they maintain good representation between the ratepayers.”
According to existing City of Vero Beach ordinances, (Article III, Sec. 2-10, Paragraph 7), “”All regular voting and alternate members (of the Utilities Commission) shall reside with the city utilities service area.”
When Tracy Carroll, Craig Fletcher and Pilar Turner worked together as a majority on the City Council, one of their first officials acts was to dismiss members of the Utiliites and Finance Commission who raised questions about the proposed sale of Vero Electric to Florida Power & Light. Those who pointed out that the City’s contractual obligations would ultimately prevent the sale, or who were concerned to see the City negotiate the best deal possible, were seen as dead weight to be thrown overboard.
A new utilities commission stacked with appointees of the Carroll-Fletcher-Turner troika, and lead by Scott Stradley, ran interference as the Council pushed forward, spending more than $2 million dollars to negotiate a contract that can never be executed. Even FPL executives now acknowledge a deal can never be made under the terms agreed to in the contract approved by the Stradley-led utilities commission of 2013.
With no thanks to or help from Turner, Councils since 2013 have successfully lowered rates. To his credit, Stradley last fall finally came around to supporting revisions to the City’s contract with the Orlando Utilities Commission, but only after taking the Utilities Commission down one rabbit hole after another.
Surely Turner will support her own proposal, and just as surely she will be joined by Harry Howle. Their willingness to open the door to a Utilities Commission dominated by outside interests should come as no surprise to anyone. After all, they are supported and sponsored by outside interests. Just as surely, Randy Old and Richard Winger can be expected to stand up for the residents and taxpayer of Vero Beach. The only question is how Mayor Jay Kramer will vote, though he, too, seems not at all inclined to allow Turner to tinker with City Code for her own political purposes.
Indian River Guardian 
So far Harry Howle has proven to be a “rubber stamp” to whatever Pilar Turner proposes. The residents of the city are watching him closely.Just think, an owner of a rental property who might live in a foreign country could serve on the Vero Beach Utility Commission if Mrs Turner gets her way. Shame on Pilar Turner for even bringing up the possibility of changing this ordinance. It looks like Mr Stradley may be “burned” by his own words.
Where does it end? A Board with some members who live elsewhere but has rental properties could be joined by other members of other Boards who are not residents and cannot vote in our elections. Will it come to pass that non-residents who are served by the City (you could even count those who shop in the city or call on service-related businesses from the city) but are outside the boundaries will be given the right to vote in elections and to use the facilities of Leisure Square same as residents? No, I don’t think so, but it is quite annoying to have outsiders throwing their weight around in our small but illustrious town. It is great when suggestions are offered. Actually, I could toss out a few to County….after all, we city folks have a foot in both county AND city. Bottom line, it is sincerely hoped that Mrs. Turner’s proposal will not become a city ordinance.
Mrs Turner is not doing the citizens of the city or the county,who are Vero Electric customers, any favors by trying to have those living outside the service area.get to decide critical issues. It is possible that such an appointee could have a conflict of interest in the future. Whether you agree or disagree with the decisions the board makes,they are at least in the service area. The formular works so do not change it.