[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6552406,"mediaKeyId","5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b","parentId",5118041,"title","FPUA board unanimously approves agenda, minutes and consent agenda","audioSeconds",14,"startMs",94000,"endMs",108000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b&start=94&end=108","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b/thumbnail_94000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552406/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/FPUA-board-unanimously-approves-agenda-minutes-and-consent-agenda","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552406-e3c6c88158b42490722be403c1d0e5cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773635105&Signature=JqnqRVi6TZsfef~q0KTRsyaYrhOd2k~TNRVxGJWR7GejiVjgAtA9bXkP4cXmzkt48FGvTIh5nY8KUhkskSI49gbFTf3BGHAy4QDhHqnJolbmbSdYc7EvbG9V2l4Bq9XhOHcrJh~IMDllcGPUBr~DI2dQgRD08YPUnMbAwdVFApmc0t~PZDXCtFZK5Kc1b4m3DQGTDKYbmaD2TRABwJwn3vdziLLuqkUEWnoY6X8xKN-RUQXatC4lHKGCu8fX6CWk~jauCSL~io2ebx9TegJ49bbGZUb7oBK2i3IxDKDiMtWcX824eXoc8hZFyYitg8BDbgi3oORFOR3qVnHG3OQ63g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Pierce","date","2025-07-01T00:00:00Z","article","The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board opened its July 1 meeting by confirming a quorum and taking three routine votes. The board approved the meeting agenda, approved the minutes from the prior meeting and approved the consent agenda. Each motion was adopted by roll call with five yes votes and no recorded no votes, abstentions or recusals.

At the start of the meeting the chair confirmed five voting members were present (the quorum requirement was three). Motions to approve the agenda, the minutes and the consent agenda were each moved and seconded; the roll-call results for each vote recorded Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Gibbons, Mayor Hudson and Mr. Fee voting yes. No further action was required on those routine items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Pierce - Fort Pierce Utilities Authority - Jul 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During the July 1 meeting the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board approved the meeting agenda, prior minutes and the consent agenda by roll-call votes, each motion passing unanimously with five yes votes.","taxTitle","Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida","taxId",55008,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552411,"FPUA applies roughly $1.22 million in LIHEAP aid to 1,168 customer accounts; utility also announced two grants totaling $5.25 million",508,3291000,3799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b&start=3291&end=3799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b/thumbnail_3291000.jpg","/articles/6552411/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/FPUA-applies-roughly-122-million-in-LIHEAP-aid-to-1168-customer-accounts-utility-also-announced-two-grants-totaling-525-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552411-df50cc1dfbdcf9f277d01802c44e8f89/orig.mp4?Expires=1773635105&Signature=BAfbeKZHJ9SLDLgtaUF~TUR8ehQDXW4~MY3hzaVl-gHICBVaRQNNpyGVqoQxVeavqeVVqvQAbI7lFeNiX8bJ-q-drjigiYfBk5Dvc-41DTsCl5srcXwiAVpoB513KsTLXDRaUQt6kVUjGcm5Zp3dZgjMsV82utYksCjt9X8yu4M-~SdXgNMtykwZqD9GZrdwcYn~DcLqH9MV2IUQ1BnoxCVnuYXLOVOyM-Xha4crovNUgAnB-WxqdSBygqwvlDXAqnJCqnn3nGccHZxoQRxcrv3uCQKml9XVV5vmuOdXrdKkzMfJltjt7I09J6Ow9xAPy5hUAE5PfHJEzCsYbJjYZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","FPUA staff told the board on July 1 that the utility connected with the statewide Promise Network and the Florida Department of Commerce’s LIHEAP allocation to apply roughly $1.22 million in one-time utility assistance to 1,168 residential customer accounts.

Director-level comments described how FPUA sent its residential-customer data to the Promise Network and the program returned an eligibility file. FPUA staff applied payments that averaged about $1,044 per qualifying customer; staff said the awards were applied to customer accounts and that the Promise Network sends text notices to customers about eligibility and awards. Ashley Levine, identified in the meeting as the project manager who led the process for FPUA, described the workflow and said the utility received the file June 10 and applied payments the same day; the program can include SNAP recipients and other households that receive government assistance.

In related announcements, staff said FPUA received a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Emergency Management for Admin Building window replacements and that the utility was awarded $5 million toward the relocation of the wastewater plant (staff thanked Governor DeSantis and named staff supporters). The board was told the $5 million award was the result of project-team work and that further public communication would follow.

Staff said the Promise Network match was faster and more automated than previous, manual distribution methods and that additional funding rounds may follow in July and August. No board vote was required; staff said a press release and customer outreach would explain how customers can check eligibility and confirm applied credits.","At the July 1 FPUA meeting staff announced an automated LIHEAP/Promise Network match that led to $1.22 million in assistance applied to 1,168 residential customer accounts, and reported separate awards of $250,000 for Admin Building window replacements and $5 million toward wastewater-plant relocation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552417,"FPUA retirement system: trustees report 82% funded ratio (Sept. 30, 2024); fund value about $270 million as of May 30",1503,1787000,3290000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b&start=1787&end=3290","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b/thumbnail_1787000.jpg","/articles/6552417/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/FPUA-retirement-system-trustees-report-82-funded-ratio-Sept-30-2024-fund-value-about-270-million-as-of-May-30","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552417-7f431dd453e9c3d6938e64234c2b1883/orig.mp4?Expires=1773635105&Signature=N7-Glj~WcfIsn0p4gTs59eL0Qj~5gB6jPhuHsa4MM-4sKyZUvK03ieVcfY5LaxKQxNzHpqicpyiubmmoPEJqO8bX4A7EIq3bLcy-D02njW0477fu3gqttJrsYDJum0PKt1vwoHE0T4hgyHY8TaZgZ32JaSScxxOBogcEnPVirfDYt0Aj3IqYME-3SY60ktQhBjh2DHw4FLEsZxGeRKB6VSwmu2R-7paG3U-ZDtwtlb~~rZO12N5K9FtzJZ6HGV4ayRMWW7qLngKc7iqZ-vcbQkam0ZiLxr80a1yrdYJ-cbyao3KX~rLGiCepOdQ56sVErbcV8dMAeypzcjUCb5TINw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keith Stevens, director of gas and electric and an elected member of the City of Fort Pierce Retirement Board, gave the board an annual report on the city retirement system at the FPUA meeting on July 1.

Stevens described the plan as a defined-benefit pension governed by chapter 13 of the city charter and said benefits are calculated using a final average salary (the top five years of the last 10) and a three-times multiplier. He summarized changes adopted in 2024: an increase in the maximum annual pension benefit from 75% back to 100% and an increase in the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) participation window to six years. Stevens said the benefit changes increased actuarial accrued liability and reduced the funded ratio by about 0.45 percentage points in the valuation.

Stevens reported the plan’s funded ratio was 82% as of the Sept. 30, 2024 actuarial valuation and said the fund’s market value was about $270 million as of May 30. He said unfunded actuarial liability stood at about $71 million and that the plan recognized a 7.4% investment return on a four-year smoothing basis in the valuation; the market produced strong returns in the most recent 12 months, he said. On contributions, Stevens said employee contributions remain fixed at 6.16% while employer contribution rates vary by subgroup; he cited a projected employer rate of 21.8% for the utility group for the coming year.

Stevens described the DROP mechanism and explained that employees in DROP do not make active contributions while their DROP account accrues and that tax and early-withdrawal penalties can apply to lump-sum distributions taken before 59½. He said the retirement board and its consultant actively review money managers and occasionally replace underperforming managers.

Stevens emphasized stewardship and said he expected employer contributions could come down if investment performance continues; he cautioned that actuarial projections are not guarantees. \"We're in really good shape and we're getting in better shape now,\" he said. Board members asked about outreach to younger employees and financial-education offerings; staff said new employee financial-training classes and optional defined-contribution vehicles (457/403(b) plans through MissionSquare) are available.

No formal action or vote was requested at the conclusion of the presentation.","Keith Stevens, FPUA elected retirement board member and director of gas and electric, updated the FPUA board on the City of Fort Pierce defined-benefit pension system, reporting an 82% funded ratio at the Sept. 30, 2024 valuation, a fund market value near $270 million as of May 30 and changes to benefit formulas and DROP rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6552421,"Main Street Fort Pierce details downtown events, partnerships and volunteer impact to FPUA board",1152,234000,1386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b&start=234&end=1386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5118041-bf5a759f99e0aa47ac2bbf17f041e45b/thumbnail_234000.jpg","/articles/6552421/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Main-Street-Fort-Pierce-details-downtown-events-partnerships-and-volunteer-impact-to-FPUA-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552421-d326bcfb2b590018175f588e1d2713e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773635105&Signature=Kfzv6LJ2Nhcq~TYUwPrrC9HlpBQjg3rZejxZCQP1B-OEsKmmnxLkgAAhceAX9kzsKbxwNziG063WlrRfLNh5lndqTrcab1h0vif99cPSwVtPFA4s-WFq1-dGykbKZP3LBaN8EddeWVYED9t9vgWJnGxn-~akeDBA4~sPwPVoqTsX9mAq2Zyc4UxNWN0vRWscVD~IuEy~mlH68Q86WvWaiifDNgb8IyxIjmL3~WKzV~FJMKOlB~CdTpkkdWwiI7EQJx6PJqNycZULy4a~KnJJaAXl5HP0rGSgvqH~sOcJSBoSl7spOL64uVxh1Hy~1Yfoa6AzRymWq~~kePZ1buGt~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Doris Tillman and Michelle Cavalcante of Main Street Fort Pierce told the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board on July 1 that the downtown nonprofit’s work has relied on an ongoing partnership with FPUA and other local organizations to support events, preservation and economic activity.

The presentation outlined Main Street Fort Pierce’s mission to preserve and promote downtown’s historic and natural assets, summarized longtime programs — including Friday Fest and Friday morning “Coffee with the Mayor” — and listed recent projects such as restoration of Old City Hall and the Sunrise Theater, a manatee observation and education center and a downtown digital map and magazine. Tillman said Main Street has been nationally accredited and has won national recognition, including the Great American Main Street Award and a USA Today designation.

Main Street emphasized the practical role FPUA plays in downtown activities: providing a launch site for the Fourth of July fireworks, hosting FPUA booths and staff at events, and supplying downtown internet service and other operational support. Tillman said the utility’s participation helps draw crowds and bolster social-media engagement for downtown festivals, and Michelle Cavalcante highlighted that Friday Fest regularly hosts roughly 30 small-business vendors and serves as a business launchpad.

Presenters noted volunteer contributions and visitation figures the group tracks: Main Street reported more than 1,000 volunteer hours in a recent quarter (valued at about $44,000) and said its print and digital outreach circulates about 50,000 copies annually and averages roughly 2,500 unique map views per month. They described coordination with several partners, including the City of Fort Pierce and the Kiwanis Club, and previewed small downtown beautification projects and upcoming anniversaries tied to city landmarks.

Board members thanked the presenters and recalled longtime events and participants. No formal board action was requested or taken on the presentation.","Main Street Fort Pierce representatives described a long-standing partnership with the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, reviewed major downtown projects and events, and highlighted volunteer contributions and tourism traffic during the July 1 FPUA board meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

FPUA board unanimously approves agenda, minutes and consent agenda

FPUA applies roughly $1.22 million in LIHEAP aid to 1,168 customer accounts; utility also announced two grants totaling $5.25 million

FPUA retirement system: trustees report 82% funded ratio (Sept. 30, 2024); fund value about $270 million as of May 30

Main Street Fort Pierce details downtown events, partnerships and volunteer impact to FPUA board