WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2025 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GRU Authority lawsuit over city’s ballot referendum scheduled for hearing in April

Photo courtesy of GRU Authority
The GRU Authority board meets for its regular meeting on Jan. 15. The GRU Authority has been in an ongoing legal battle with the City of Gainesville since September.

An ongoing lawsuit over the Gainesville Regional Utilities ballot referendum may wrap up as soon as early April with a judicial hearing.

In June 2024, the Gainesville City Commission voted to place a referendum on the ballot that allowed voters to decide whether control of GRU should be returned to the city. The GRU Authority board filed a lawsuit against the city claiming the city cannot overturn state law, which granted control of GRU to the state in 2023. Gainesville argues the ballot referendum only changes the city charter, which voters and the city can amend, not state law.

The City of Gainesville filed a motion for summary judgment earlier this month, asking the judge to rule on the case without going to trial. The motion argues the city's charter amendment is lawful, and the lawsuit is moot because Gainesville voters already approved the ballot initiative with overwhelming support in November.

According to court records, the GRU Authority must also file a motion for summary judgement by Feb. 11. Eighth Judicial Circuit Judge George M. Wright is set to hear arguments from both sides on April 2, after which he could indicate whether or not the case may go to trial.

In a previous ruling, the judge granted the GRU Authority a temporary injunction on the referendum's outcome until the lawsuit was settled. He did not rule on whether the referendum was legal at that time.

Kristin is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-294-1502 or emailing news@wuft.org.