FL H1355

Repeals the position of general manager for utilities and creates the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority as a five-member board appointed by the city commission to govern Gainesville Regional Utilities.

Authority members must maintain primary residence within GRU's electric service territory, receive GRU electric service, pass felony background checks, and meet specific qualification requirements (one residential customer, one large commercial customer consuming 10,000+ kilowatt hours monthly, three members with expertise in law, economics, accounting, engineering, finance, or energy).

Authority has powers to manage utility operations, establish rates and fees, acquire property, issue revenue bonds (but not general obligation bonds), hire/remove a chief executive officer/general manager, and prepare annual budgets requiring city commission approval.

Members receive $18,000 annual salary starting October 1, 2017, adjusted annually for inflation; initial terms staggered with expiration dates from 2018-2021, followed by four-year terms; members limited to three consecutive terms.

Act takes effect upon approval by majority vote of Gainesville qualified electors in a March 2017 referendum held with the citywide election.