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Columbia County and Fort White negotiate interlocal to transition utilities; authority to operate during handover
Summary
County staff said both parties agreed Fort White wants to operate its own utility. Attorneys proposed an interlocal agreement to manage a transition that maintains continuity of service; timeline depends on Fort White decisions and any feasibility study.
Columbia County staff told commissioners on Wednesday that negotiations with the Town of Fort White produced agreement on a transition plan for water services and that a new interlocal agreement is expected to govern the handover.
County staff reported that both sides have concluded Fort White "wants to go in a different direction" and that attorneys agreed an interlocal agreement would provide a structured transition. "We have told Fort White the utility authority is gonna be operating for the county. They have said that they want to do it themselves," a county staffer said. The meeting summary said the parties agreed to a new interlocal that lays out the transition and then terminates the prior arrangement once the transition is complete.
Why it matters: the utility provides a basic public-health service. Commissioners emphasized the need for continuity of service during any transition to prevent service interruptions, school closures or other public-health impacts.
Details and next steps: staff said the town has identified its mayor as the point person for utility decisions and that the utility authority has appointed a representative (Shannon) to negotiate terms with Fort White. The county expects to present an interlocal agreement on a future agenda, potentially by the next commission meeting. Staff said the length of any transition will depend on whether Fort White commissions an external feasibility study or hires outside help.
The utility authority also discussed possible expansion of sewer to Wellborn and other projects DEP asked the authority to consider, including work connected with 3 Rivers Estates and a nearby state park. The county noted workforce changes at the Fort White water plant, where a long-time operator has indicated he is ready to retire, and said staff will continue discussions with the town and the utility authority to coordinate operations and staffing.
No formal action or vote on the interlocal occurred Wednesday; staff and the utility authority will continue negotiations and bring a proposed interlocal agreement to the commission for consideration.
