Several Gainesville Regional Utilities customers gathered at city hall Tuesday to vocalize their concerns regarding GRU's plan to discuss cutting its government services contribution — a move that could affect numerous city programs.
The board of the utility company will meet Wednesday to decide whether it will cut the funds from the city budget entirely or in half. The fund was around $34 million last year. Previously, the city has allocated the money to a variety of departments.
Sarah Younger of Sierra Club–Suwannee St. Johns Group said she is nervous the nonprofit organization will lose funding over this decision.
Gainesville City Commissioner Bryan Eastman said he is concerned about cuts to public safety such as law enforcement and the fire department.
Eastman spoke at a press conference Tuesday.
“My hope is that tomorrow evening, the GRU Authority will work for the best benefits of the taxpayers and ratepayers of our community and really recognize that we’re one city,” he said. “There is Gainesville Regional Utilities and the city of Gainesville. How we work together at that point, I’m not sure. We’ll really be following the lead of Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority.”
GRU commented that it's pursuing opportunities such as this one to reduce debt and expenses to achieve its goal of stabilizing rates in the long-run.
GRU also stated that the utility is looking to make business decisions in the best interest of its customers. With the impending board meeting, Gainesville residents wait anxiously to hear what GRU decides.
The next GRU Authority meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the GRU Administration Building, 301 SE 4th Ave.