Karen Chung of Greenwood spoke during public comment about solar projects and an active Florida bill she said would reduce local control over water and wetlands.

Chung said Collier County recently adopted a resolution urging the Florida Public Service Commission to oppose proposed rate increases tied to large solar projects and said several Florida counties are coordinating opposition. "The counties are systematically getting together and are opposing this," she said, and offered to email the commission a copy of Collier County’s resolution.

Chung also warned about HB 479, which she described as a bill that "would bar local governments from adopting any laws or policies dealing with water quality, quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharges, prevention, or removal of any and all wetlands" and urged the commission to contact state lawmakers, including Rep. Shane Abbott and Rep. Jay Trumbull, to register opposition.

A commissioner corrected her when she first identified Shane Abbott as the governor, noting he is a state representative. Chung said the measure could shift decision-making to unelected regional bodies and diminish local authority over water and environmental rules. She urged county officials to keep the public informed and to coordinate with the Florida Association of Counties on opposition efforts.

Chung said she would leave a paper copy with the commission and email the resolution and related materials to staff.

No formal board action or resolution was recorded during the meeting; the item was presented as public comment.