Fort Pierce Utility Authority sparks interest among election candidates
November 2nd, 2009 by TCPalm.comFORT PIERCE — Questions about how to revitalize the local economy, the future of Fort Pierce Utilities Authority are among chief concerns for voters entering Tuesday’s Fort Pierce City Commission elections for District 1 and District 2.
In District 1, R. “Duke” Nelson is hoping to return to the City Commission by defeating incumbent Rufus Alexander. In District 2, incumbent Christine Coke faces three challengers: Curtis Boyd, Tom Perona and Rick Reed. District 1 primarily includes citizens west of U.S. 1 and north of Delaware Avenue as well as those along northern Okeechobee Road. District 2 primarily includes citizens south of Delaware Avenue along with those east of U.S. 1 as well as those south of Okeechobee Road.
Unemployment was at 15.3 percent in the county in September, according to the state’s Agency for Workforce Innovation. High unemployment combined with foreclosure rates have led voters to search for elected officials to come up with smart solutions to fix the problems while managing a budget diminished by a 17.4 percent decline in local property values.
Fort Pierce residents also are hoping for answers to high electrical rates created in part by a contract between the FPUA and the Florida Municipal Power Agency, which purchases and generates power on behalf of the FPUA and sets wholesale rates.
The two entities agreed on a deal where the FMPA purchased natural gas futures three years ago. The price of natural gas dropped heavily within weeks creating questions about how to make the FPUA more efficient to keep future costs down.
Commissioners again next year probably will have to figure out ways to cut expenses if they hope to keep the tax rate flat again. The city instituted furloughs, had layoffs and offered early retirement incentive plans to keep from raising the tax rate. Property values are not expected to drop as substantially as this past year, according to Property Appraiser Jeff Furst, but some drop is expected.
City residents are interested to see how candidates plan on overcoming such a tax decrease while maintaining a level of service in various capacities for the city.
DISTRICT 1
RUFUS ALEXANDER *
Age: 60
Years as city resident: Fort Pierce native
Occupation: Owner of Sarah’s Memorial Chapel on Avenue D
On the economy: Alexander plans to continue working with the county and Port St. Lucie to bring in jobs and help local people learn new trades.
On Fort Pierce Utility Authority: Alexander voted to eliminate and replace the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board with the City Commission and has been critical of past rate increases.
R. “DUKE” NELSON
Age: 74
Years as city resident: More than 50
Occupation: Retired former city commissioner
On the economy: Nelson plans to return leadership and accountability to the city. He plans to review organization, staffing and budgetary needs to eliminate waste.
On Fort Pierce Utility Authority: Nelson plans to decrease the reserve fund and reduce power adjustments.
DISTRICT 2
CURTIS BOYD
Age: 43
Years as city resident: Fort Pierce native
Occupation: Local attorney
On the economy: Boyd wants to return Fort Pierce to days of prosperity by eliminating perceived arrogance in City Hall to re-establish trust between elected officials and the citizens.
On Fort Pierce Utility Authority: Boyd promotes interaction between the City Commission and the FPUA and eliminating internal waste since he believes budget issues prevent buying out the current contract.
CHRISTINE COKE*
Age: 52
Years as city resident: More than 34
Occupation: Owner of Coke’s Stationers on Second Street
On the economy: Coke stresses fiscal responsibility and plans to continue to streamline expenditures while working to lower crime.
On Fort Pierce Utility Authority: Coke believes in the economy of scale and sees no reason for the City Commission and the FPUA to have separate human resource departments and finance departments among others.
TOM PERONA
Age: 55
Years as city resident: More than 37
Occupation: Retired real estate investor
On the economy: Perona plans building bridges between the city, its citizens and neighboring governments as one way to help speed economic recovery.
On Fort Pierce Utility Commission: Perona recently resigned from the FPUA board and proposes being the City’s governmental liaison to work for better resolutions for the community’s future energy needs.
RICK REED
Age: 50
Years as city resident: Fort Pierce native
Occupation: City activist and retired businessman
On the economy: Reed plans to rein in city spending and get rid of debt to promote economic stability.
On Fort Pierce Utility Authority: Reed wants to decrease high utility rates through reducing transfer fees and consolidating duplicated services. Reed wants the voters to decide the future of the FPUA.
*Denotes incumbent
By Eric Pfahler
Tags: budget, candidates, city commission, election, electricity rates, Fort Pierce, incumbent, property values, unemployment, utilities
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