City, county urge lawmakers to drop Punta Gorda utility bill

Charlotte County and the city of Punta Gorda formed a rare, united front in opposition to House Bill 4077, urging state lawmakers to withdraw the proposed legislation that would transfer roughly one-third of Punta Gorda’s utility customers to Charlotte County Utilities. 

Officials from both governments say neither the city nor the county supports the bill, formally titled the Punta Gorda Utility District Boundary Codification and Utility Transfer Act, and that its passage would create financial and operational challenges for both jurisdictions.  

Over the past week, and continuing into the week of Jan. 26, city and county officials have been meeting with the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Vanessa Oliver, and other legislators in Tallahassee. Their message has been consistent: allow local governments to resolve utility planning issues under home rule authority. 

County Commission Chair Joe Tiseo said the bill would place a significant burden on county ratepayers if Charlotte County Utilities were required to assume responsibility for customers in unincorporated areas currently served by Punta Gorda Utilities. 

“In the county’s case, it would put the burden on ratepayers,” Tiseo said, noting the county would need to install new infrastructure to serve areas not currently connected to its system. 

For Punta Gorda, the impact would be equally severe, officials said. The city would lose about one-third of its utility customer base at a time when it is investing millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades and expansion. 

At a prior City Council meeting, Utilities Director Tom Spencer said Punta Gorda has invested $197 million to build water treatment facilities capable of producing 14 million gallons per day. City officials have argued that removing a large portion of the customer base would undermine the financial structure supporting those investments. 

During the Charlotte County Commission’s Jan. 13 meeting, Tiseo pointed to language in Section 5 of the bill stating that “nothing in this act should be construed to impair, alter or invalidate existing bond.” He asked Deputy County Attorney Thomas David whether the bill would still be enforceable if the city maintains that it would impair outstanding bonds. 

David said it would not but added that multiple versions of the bill are circulating, and that amendments have already been made. 

Tiseo criticized the evolving language, saying continued amendments are insufficient to fix the underlying problem. “To continue to amend the bill is like putting lipstick on a pig,” he said. 

Commissioners directed Legislative Manager Eve Sweeting to draft a formal letter reiterating the county’s opposition and calling for the bill’s withdrawal. That letter was to be finalized in time for the county’s utilities meeting later that afternoon. 

Commissioners also expressed frustration with the bill’s proposed implementation timeline, which they said is unrealistic. They noted the legislation does not include any provision for state funding to help the county pay for the infrastructure required to serve additional customers. 

During the Charlotte County Legislative Delegation meeting Dec. 17, Oliver cited concerns raised about water pressure and delays in installing water meters for businesses in the Enterprise Charlotte Airport Park, which is served by Punta Gorda Utilities.   

Tiseo said those claims were later clarified. He said one company’s water pressure issue stemmed from its own connection, not the city’s system. Another delay involving a water meter, he said, resulted from a backlog in processing annexation paperwork at the county clerk’s office. 

Annexation is required before Punta Gorda Utilities can provide service to properties outside city limits. 

Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch said the bill’s approach runs counter to how similar issues are typically handled. Drawing on his experience as a former legislator in Rhode Island, Deutsch said, “I never would have submitted a bill at the legislative level; usually it’s at the request of the city or town.” 

Punta Gorda’s lobbying firms, Arrow Group and Ballard Partners, have already communicated the city’s position to Oliver. City Manager Melissa Reichert said Spencer and the city’s lobbyists are meeting with key state officials to explain why the city opposes HB 4077. 

Vice Mayor Jeannine Polk said she, Mayor Debi Lux and council member Melissa Lockhart plan to travel to Tallahassee on Jan. 26. Council member Greg Julian has already met with Oliver. 

Representing the county will be Tiseo and Commissioner Bill Truex, who also plan to meet with lawmakers later this month. 

“We’re all on the same team,” Deutsch said.