HomeMy WebLinkAbout6-b. 0912232 public rate hearing MINUTES
CLAY COUNTY UTILITY AUTHORITY
PUBLIC RATE HEARING
September 12, 2023
Item No. 1 —Call to Order
Chairman Davis called the meeting to order at 7:19 P.M.
Item No. 2—Invocation and Pledge
Ms. Lebesch offered the Invocation and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Item No. 3 —Roll Call
Roll Call was taken with Chairman Davis, Vice-Chairman Hodges, Mr. Gardella, Ms., Lebesch, Mr.
McNees in attendance.
Also present at the meeting were Executive Director Jeremy Johnston, Chief Operations Officer Darryl
Muse, Asst. Chief Operations Officer/Distribution & Collection Superintendent David Rawlins Chief
Financial Officer Jeff Wesselman, Chief Human Resource Officer Kim Richardson, Water Department
Superintendent Ross Bland, Public & Governmental Affairs Liaison Dennis Ragosta, Customer Service
and Billing Manager Diane Strickland, Administrative Assistant Operations Alicia Baker, and Grady H.
Williams, Jr., legal counsel to the CCUA.
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3 Item No. 4— Staff Comments
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Mr. Johnston reviewed the cost increases which are being experienced by the utility and reviewed how the
proposed rate increase will affect customers based on their usage.
Item No. 5 —Open Public Hearing
Chairman Davis opened the Public Hearing at 7:28 P.M.
Item No. 6—Public Comments
Mr. Dan Rutovic of 2612 Ridgecrest Avenue, Orange Park addressed the Board regarding the amount
irrigation needed because of his large yard and how the tiered rates affect his monthly bill.
Mr. Rufus and Mrs. Brenda Fox of 2622 Tramore Place, Orange Park submitted a speaker card but did not
address the Board. They were concerned about the effect of the proposed rate increase on senior citizens.
Dennis Metheny of 1825B Green Springs Circle, Fleming Island commented on the interest amounts
listed in the Public Rate Hearing booklet and thanked Mr. Ragosta for his assistance in providing
information relating to the annual budget and proposed rate increase.
Item No.7—Comments from customers unable to attend the Public Hearing
Ms. Tina Cada of 1739 Debbie Lane, Orange Park, and Mr. Christopher Makros of 2817 Mesquite
Avenue, Orange Park submitted emails in opposition to the proposed rate increase which were read into
the record by Chairman Davis.
September 12, 2023
Public Rate Hearing
There were also comments in support of and in opposition to the rate increase received from a survey in
response to the email notification of the Public Hearing. The members of the Board were provided a copy
of these comments.
Item No. 8—Close Public Hearing
Chairman Davis closed the Public Hearing at 7:39 P.M.
Item No. 9—Board Discussion—None
Item No. 10 -Adjourn
Chairman Davis adjourned the meeting at 7:40 P.M.
Wendell Davis, Chairman
Janice Loudermilk, Recording Secretary
September 12, 2023 2
Public Rate Hearing