Supplemental Agenda Items - FGUA

Florida Governmental Utility Authority Profile
The origin of the FGUA mirrors what the
Village of Islamorada is seeking to
accomplish – creatively solve a local
government utility problem. The Florida
Governmental Utility Authority was formed
on February 1, 1999. Brevard, Lee, Polk
and Sarasota county leaders joined forces
to not only bring into public ownership
water and wastewater facilities, but to
improve and efficiently operate them.
Just two months later, the FGUA bought
five water and wastewater systems from
Florida Cities Water Co. and Poinciana
Utilities Inc. Customers from Brevard’s
Barefoot Bay especially welcomed FGUA.
Rates there had doubled in the previous four years because of a $5.6 million sewage
treatment plant upgrade. They were looking for relief.
Using the pooled resources of the four FGUA member counties and the economies
of private sector business, rates were reduced across the board. At the same time,
capital improvements were made.
The most succinct description of the FGUA model is the finance-own-design-buildoperate.
In some cases, local governments elect to buy the facilities from the FGUA after the
improvements are made. In other cases, FGUA continues to own and operate the
facilities with the advice and participation of host community governments, as a part of
the FGUA board.
What is a GUA
Constant evolution is the backbone of a
Government Utility Authority (GUA). As
systems are acquired, upgraded,
streamlined and conveyed, different
“member governments” come and go from
FGUA’s leadership board. The key is that
each host community is invited to
participate in the FGUA board to ensure
that they still have a part in the decision
making process.
Each host community is
invited to participate in
the FGUA board to ensure
that they still have a part
in the decision making
process.
Team Proposal Florida Governmental Utility Authority
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