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New utility chair, sharp public criticism over meeting timing and water service prompt call for changes
Summary
Board elects Glenn Spiritus as USD chair and Priscilla Davis Pannier as vice chair. Public commenters, contractors and several council members criticized the utility meeting's late schedule, the overlap with City Council, water quality complaints and staff/contractor oversight; the council directed staff to prevent recurrence.
The City of Riviera Beach Utility Special District elected board member Glenn Spiritus as its chair and Priscilla Davis Pannier as vice chair on May 20, drawing vocal public reaction to meeting management and long‑running water problems.
Nominations for leadership were taken under item 4a and Spiritus won the chairmanship in a roll‑call vote with two dissenting members. "I nominate Dr. Glenn Spiritus to be the chair of the utility district," a board member said during nominations; the clerk announced the outcome.
Public comment that followed presentations was unusually long and heated. Residents repeatedly criticized the decision to hold the USD meeting the same night as the City Council session, saying the overlap forced many citizens to miss council business. "We're all here at 5:30 — can we please start the meeting at 5:30?" said Annette Dragon. Several speakers urged the city to stop stacking USD business onto council nights, calling the schedule a de facto suppression of public participation and requesting a new, standalone day for USD meetings.
Many speakers also pressed the board on water quality and contract decisions. Residents described persistent smell and color problems, high water bills and frustration with staffing and contracting choices. A number of current and former utility workers defended operations and asked the board to consider training and transition plans rather than ending contracts abruptly.
The board and city manager acknowledged the complaints. On moving to the council agenda, the mayor and several council members apologized for the delay and asked staff to present options to avoid future schedule conflicts. "This should never happen," one council member said, calling the late running USD meeting "very embarrassing" and directing staff to propose a fixed USD schedule so the public can reliably participate.
What's next: Council directed staff to propose a regular USD meeting date or other scheduling changes for the next meeting; staff also agreed to follow up on water complaints, procurement questions and a set of suggested transparency measures.
