Utility chief questions consultant’s report (Citrus County)
By Terry Witt
A key manager for the Florida Governmental Utility Authority on Monday said a consultant’s report that discusses whether Citrus County should purchase FGUA’s local water and sewer systems is riddled with “inaccuracies and inconsistencies.”
Systems Manager Robert Sheets sent a letter to County Commission Chairman Gary Bartell asking for an opportunity to appear before the board in January to address the problems he sees in the report. He said he couldn’t attend today’s board meeting.
The report by Rose, Sundstrom & Bentley, LLP will be discussed by commissioners beginning at 2 p.m. Bartell said he wants Sheets present to address his concerns.
“If we’re going to make a decision tomorrow, I would like all the facts,” Bartell said.
But Sheets said FGUA has not had an opportunity to conduct an extensive review of the recommendations outlined in the report. He said he received the report Sunday and could see it wasn’t factual.
“It’s full of inaccuracies, misquotes and outdated information,” Sheets told the Chronicle. “The information on cost numbers is ludicrous. It’s laughable.”
Among other things, Sheets said the report does not address whether Citrus County would increase staffing for its utility system, which would expand from 6,000 customers to 18,000 customers if the FGUA systems were added, and makes no mention of how staffing would be funded.
He said the report claims county staff was consulted before the report was made, but he said in reality only Utilities Regulatory Director Robert Knight was asked for information.
In his letter, Sheets said the FGUA fully recognizes Citrus County’s right to assume ownership of its 11 water and five wastewater systems. He said interlocal agreement gives the county the authority.
But he said he believes FGUA and the county can work together to address the following issues:
* Providing water and sewer to the Chassahowitzka area.
* Addressing the expanding number of private utility systems in the county in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. There are currently 150 systems, Sheets said.
* Addressing the impact on the county’s lake system. Sheets said FGUA is working with Citrus County and the city of Inverness to try to protect the lakes.
A key manager for the Florida Governmental Utility Authority on Monday said a consultant’s report that discusses whether Citrus County should purchase FGUA’s local water and sewer systems is riddled with “inaccuracies and inconsistencies.”
Systems Manager Robert Sheets sent a letter to County Commission Chairman Gary Bartell asking for an opportunity to appear before the board in January to address the problems he sees in the report. He said he couldn’t attend today’s board meeting.
The report by Rose, Sundstrom & Bentley, LLP will be discussed by commissioners beginning at 2 p.m. Bartell said he wants Sheets present to address his concerns.
“If we’re going to make a decision tomorrow, I would like all the facts,” Bartell said.
But Sheets said FGUA has not had an opportunity to conduct an extensive review of the recommendations outlined in the report. He said he received the report Sunday and could see it wasn’t factual.
“It’s full of inaccuracies, misquotes and outdated information,” Sheets told the Chronicle. “The information on cost numbers is ludicrous. It’s laughable.”
Among other things, Sheets said the report does not address whether Citrus County would increase staffing for its utility system, which would expand from 6,000 customers to 18,000 customers if the FGUA systems were added, and makes no mention of how staffing would be funded.
He said the report claims county staff was consulted before the report was made, but he said in reality only Utilities Regulatory Director Robert Knight was asked for information.
In his letter, Sheets said the FGUA fully recognizes Citrus County’s right to assume ownership of its 11 water and five wastewater systems. He said interlocal agreement gives the county the authority.
But he said he believes FGUA and the county can work together to address the following issues:
* Providing water and sewer to the Chassahowitzka area.
* Addressing the expanding number of private utility systems in the county in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner. There are currently 150 systems, Sheets said.
* Addressing the impact on the county’s lake system. Sheets said FGUA is working with Citrus County and the city of Inverness to try to protect the lakes.
posted by Editor Facts & Myths @ 8:03 PM
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