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County approves fifth amendment to Okeechobee Utility Authority interlocal agreement; changes board composition and modest compensation
Summary
The board approved a fifth amendment to its interlocal agreement with the Okeechobee Utility Authority that modifies board-member selection, allows appointments from the broader service area (including Glades County preference), and sets modest meeting compensation for authority members.
The Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners approved a fifth amendment to the interlocal agreement that governs the Okeechobee Utility Authority (OUA), revising who may serve on the OUA board and establishing modest meeting compensation.
The amendment makes three main changes that county staff described to the board: (1) it allows the city to appoint two members and one alternate who must be residents of the OUA service area rather than strictly city residents; (2) it authorizes compensation of $35 per meeting for OUA board members (not to exceed one meeting per month) and reimbursement for per diem and travel as provided by statute, with members required to request compensation annually no later than Oct. 1; and (3) it adds a fifth board member and alternate (preferred to be a Glades County resident if the service area includes part of Glades County) while making that preference non-mandatory if a Glades resident cannot be found.
County counsel told commissioners the changes came from workshops involving the city and OUA; they are intended to enlarge the pool of potential board members within the OUA service area and to create a modest compensation regime to recognize members’ time. The county’s amendment will go to the City of Okeechobee for its approval before the interlocal agreement is fully amended.
Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the county’s adoption of the fifth amendment and directed staff to send the amendment to the city attorney for the city’s parallel process.
Why it matters: The amendment broadens the geographic pool of eligible board members to the OUA service area (not only city residents), introduces modest compensation and clarifies alternate-member voting, and formally acknowledges a preference for Glades County representation where applicable. The change should help the OUA fill seats and maintain continuity in a multi-jurisdictional service area.
