NEWS ANALYSIS

“A skeptic, and these are times when a measure skepticism is called for, would wonder if Moss, Turner and Howle are simply using the power issue as a cover for their real agenda, which is to gut Vero Beach city government while moving toward consolidating services with the County.”

MARK SCHUMANN

Laura Moss announced last week she will try a third time for election to local office. Previously, Moss has been a candidate for the Indian River Hospital District and the City Council.

An email announcement released by Moss last week read,  “She pledges to run on a conservative platform of low taxes and limited government. One of her high priorities is the sale of the Vero Beach electric system.”

Moss’ press release was sent from the email address of the secretary of the Indian River County Republican Executive Committee – Indian River REC – tedpank@comcast.net. The clear identification with the Republican Party in the release of Moss’ announcement may violate Florida election laws, which prohibit reference to party affiliation in non-partisan elections. (In his first run for a seat on the Vero Beach City Council, Harry Howle mailed a post card touting his political party affiliation. He was later fined by the Florida Elections Commission.)

Last fall, Moss joined the Town of Indian River Shores’ representative on the Utilities Commission in opposing a revised wholesale power purchase agreement between Vero Beach and the Orlando Utilities Commission.  Even Councilwoman Pilar Turner’s then appointee to the Commission, Scott Stratley, voted to approve the contract changes, which allow for the decommissioning of the power plant, and are expected to save Vero Electric’s customers and average of $750,000 a month.

Since the revised OUC agreement was approved — over the objection of Moss, Turner and Harry Howle — two rate reductions have already been possible.

If the third time is a charm for Moss, and if Pilar Turner is re-elected, the Vero Beach City Council will again be controlled by a troika of pro-sale, limited government advocates.

A Turner-Howle-Moss majority would take Vero Beach back to the days when Turner collaborated with Tracy Carroll and Craig Fletcher in spending $2 million negotiating a sales agreement with FPL that all parties now acknowledge can never be executed. Turner, Carroll and Fletcher pushed for massive staff cuts, sought to consolidate services with the County, were unwilling to vigorously enforce the City’s ban on short-term rentals, (Turner voted to let stand a Code Enforcement Board ruling that would have open the floodgates to unlimited vacation rentals in residential areas), and essentially rejecting much of what has made Vero Beach a special community.

The last time Turner had two other Council members to support her efforts to sell Vero Electric at any price, rates were $130.93 per month for 1000 kilowatt hours. While not rejecting a sale if terms can every be reached, the current Council has, without Turner’s support, worked to reduce rates. Vero Electric’s rate is now $119.58 per 1000 kWh, and is to be cut again next month. (Meanwhile, Florida Power & Light is seeking Florida Public Service Commission approval for what will amount to a 15 percent rate increase.)

Without offering any specifics, Moss, Turner and Howle claim they can somehow overcome significant legal and financial obstacles to the proposed sale of Vero Electric to FPL. During his campaign last fall, Howle told voters the sale can be completed through special legislation and, if necessary, still more litigation.

In a blow to Howle’s chances of ever delivering on his promise to sell the City’s electric system, the Florida Legislature again this year rejected legislation aimed at forcing the Florida Municipal Power Agency to make exception to its bond covenants for the sake of Vero Beach. Perhaps because both the Indian River County Commission and the Indian River Shores Town Council have failed in their expensive legal challenges to Vero Electric, Howle has yet to present a plan for taking on the FMPA contracts in court.

Essentially, Turner’s and Howle’s promises to complete the power sale amount to little more than hot air.  Howle and Turner have successful tapped into voter’s frustrations by promising to somehow conclude the sale. Moss now proposed to join them. Interestingly, Turner, Howle and Moss are careful not to point out that even FPL officials are without ideas for overcoming significant financial and legal obstacles to the proposed sale.

A skeptic, and these are times when a measure skepticism is called for, would wonder if Moss, Turner and Howle are simply using the power issue as a cover for their real agenda, which is to gut Vero Beach city government while moving toward consolidating services with the County. They will, of course, deny that this is their goal, but every vote they cast supports a so-called limited government agenda.

Another priority for a Turner-Howle-Moss majority will be selling Vero Electric’s Indian River Shores 3400 customer base at whatever price works for FPL. FPL has so far offered $13 million. City leaders, and five rate consultants and utility experts, have concluded it will take closer to $42.5 million to avoid hurting Vero Electric’s remaining customers. Look for Shores interests to support Moss with generous campaign contributions.

A few declared candidate for the Vero Beach City Council who have pledged to stand up for Vero Beach, and for the customers of Vero Electric. Laura Moss is not one of them.