WUFT | News and public media for north central Florida
What to know about the 2025 GRU referendum
By Austyn Bolig, Emma Tufano
October 28, 2025 at 10:53 AM EDT
GAINESVILLE –– On November 4, the city of Gainesville is having a referendum to place the Gainesville City Commission back in control of Gainesville Regional Utilities. In 2024, a similar referendum passed with a 73% vote.
Last year’s referendum, which would have returned GRU to city control, was thrown out by a judge because of misleading ballot language. Now, voters will get another chance.
Q&A with Bobby Mermer: The president of Gainesville Residents United, a community organization campaigning to return control of Gainesville’s utility back to the City Commission.
Q&A with Ed Bielarski: GRU CEO about his perspective on the Authority’s role as voters prepare to decide who should control the utility.
Last year’s referendum, which would have returned GRU to city control, was thrown out by a judge because of misleading ballot language. Now, voters will get another chance.
Q&A with Bobby Mermer: The president of Gainesville Residents United, a community organization campaigning to return control of Gainesville’s utility back to the City Commission.
Q&A with Ed Bielarski: GRU CEO about his perspective on the Authority’s role as voters prepare to decide who should control the utility.