The Gainesville City Commission unanimously approved a Gainesville Regional Utilities authority board resolution granting its CEO and Chief Financial Officer the power to carry out financial negotiations at a Thursday meeting.
The GRU authority already confirmed the resolution the day prior. It aims to improve interest rates on money borrowed by the authority to pay off debt, said GRU communication director David Warm. Doing so requires forming a united front with the city despite ongoing legal battles, he said.
By approving the resolution, city attorney Daniel M. Nee said, the city commission is helping secure investment opportunities and allow the GRU authority to fulfill its duties. Investor trust increases with stability.
“Nobody is surprised that this has to happen,” Mayor Harvey Ward said.
Though not letting it affect his vote, Ward said he’s frustrated with the rhetoric spread about the city and its GRU referendum. In a recent court hearing, GRU attorney Samuel J. Salario claimed Gainesville engaged in an insurrection to supersede state power and “destroy” the governor-appointed board.
The city commission controlled regional utilities until a state bill transferred power to the independent board in 2023. Since then, Gainesville residents have voted twice to request the authority be returned to the city. The first was nullified by a judge due to misleading ballot language, and the second is halted until a lawsuit brought on by the GRU board, claiming an overreach of power, is resolved.
The case reached an appellate court Feb. 10, though a decision is still pending.
Ward said communication through the media and saying “ugly things” is not a professional way for the two entities to interact. He emphasized the need to treat one another with respect as long as the situation “is what it is.”
“I am hopeful we start leaving rhetoric and name calling aside and move forward with some level of business-like decorum until the courts sort this out,” Ward said. “Or even better yet, until one group decides that the voice of the people is a good voice, and one that should be listened to.”
Contact Maria Arruda at marruda@alligator.org. Follow her on X at @mariazalfarruda.
Maria Arruda is a second-year journalism and political science student, currently working as the City Commission reporter for The Alligator. Previously, she reported on Student Government under The Alligator's University desk. She enjoys running, reading and going to movie theaters!
