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Jackson County commissioners oppose proposed FPUC rate increase, will send letter to Florida Public Service Commission
Summary
After public comments about steep utility bills and franchise-fee transparency, the Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted to send a letter to the Florida Public Service Commission opposing a proposed rate increase from FPUC/Chesapeake.
The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners voted to send a letter to the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) expressing opposition to a proposed rate increase by Florida Public Utilities Company (FPUC)/Chesapeake that county residents and officials said could raise some bills by about 44 percent.
The action came after residents described spikes in recent utility bills and asked county commissioners to press the PSC and the utility for more transparency. The board’s motion — introduced by Dr. Spires, a county commissioner — directs staff to draft a letter for the chair’s review and signature stating the board’s opposition to the rate increases.
Why it matters: County residents said higher electric rates would compound other local costs and strain households already facing elevated prices. The utility’s filing with the PSC seeks additional revenue to cover operating costs and permit the company to earn a return, and county speakers said the requested increase, if approved as filed, would sharply increase monthly bills for some households.
During the public-comment period, resident Steve Dennis said Jackson County customers had seen the wording “Jackson County franchise fees” disappear from FPU bills between July and September 2024 and asked the board to investigate whether the county still collects the franchise fee and why the line item no longer appears on customer statements. County staff explained the county levies a franchise fee on utilities for use of county rights-of-way and that utilities may choose whether to pass that fee on to customers; commissioners said they would follow up on the billing-label question.
A member of the public summarized the utility filing during comments: FPUC filed a petition seeking an additional $12,593,000 in annual revenue, and interim rates approved on Oct. 1, 2024, went into effect 30 days after that vote. The PSC is scheduled to hold a public hearing Jan. 8, 2025, and the transcript included material showing later dates in the agency schedule for further action in March. The board’s letter is meant to register local opposition before the PSC completes its review.
The board voted to approve the agenda at the start of the meeting; later Dr. Spires moved that the county draft the opposition letter. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bryant and carried.
Board members and staff encouraged residents to attend the PSC public hearing and to submit comments directly to the PSC. Commissioners also discussed the county’s limited authority: the board levies the franchise fee but does not control whether a utility passes that charge through to individual customers.
The board did not adopt or order local rate changes; its action was limited to sending the PSC letter and directing staff to draft it for the chair’s signature. County staff and commissioners said they will follow up at the next meeting with any additional information about local franchise-fee receipts and billing transparency.
Votes at a glance: The board approved a motion to draft and send a letter of opposition to the Florida Public Service Commission (mover: Dr. Spires; seconder: Mr. Bryant; outcome: approved).
