Wellington renews 30-year electric franchise with FPL, raises franchise fee to 6%

The Village Council approved Ordinance 2024-24 on second reading on Jan. 14, granting Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) a 30-year electric franchise and raising the municipal franchise fee from 5% to 6%. Staff said the fee increase is projected to generate approximately $900,000 in annual revenue for the village.

Staff presented the ordinance as unchanged from first reading and reported no public comments on the measure. FPL’s external affairs representative told the council that the utility had received a public inquiry about a recent land purchase in the village; he said he had referred the inquiry to FPL’s real estate group and would follow up with the resident and the village when additional information is available.

The ordinance grants to FPL “an electric franchise, imposing provisions and conditions relating thereto, providing for monthly payments to the village of Wellington,” according to the title read on the floor. Council opened and closed the public hearing without public comment and approved the ordinance by a voice vote recorded as 5-0.

The franchise replaces the village’s prior agreement with FPL (in place since 1996) and will be subject to the terms in the ordinance and any attachments; staff said there were no substantive changes from the first reading. The FPL representative committed to informing staff and the inquiring resident if the company’s real-estate review identified any plans that would affect the village.

Ending: The ordinance was adopted on second reading and will take effect on the date specified in the ordinance text; the council recorded the vote as 5-0.