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