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Council praises transparency but warns HB 1451 leaves few enforcement tools for customers
Summary
Town attorney briefed council on House Bill 1451, which would require municipal utilities to publish rate studies, hold public hearings and report to state leaders; council members welcomed transparency but said the bill lacks an appeal mechanism and may not prevent transfers of utility revenue to general funds.
Town attorney Pete Sweeney summarized House Bill 1451 for the Town of Indian River Shores council, saying the measure — passed by the Legislature and awaiting action by the governor — would create a new regulatory scheme for municipal utilities that emphasizes public hearings, written agreements and annual reporting to state officials.
"It requires several things…more transparency," Sweeney said, listing public meetings, written agreements, and annual reporting to the Public Service Commission and state leaders. He told the council the bill removes the old automatic…
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