What’s so very unique about the City of Lake Worth and why elections are so very important.

Because whomever gets elected has a say in what you pay for electricity. Why? Because the City has its own Electric Utility. This is the “element of complexity” that’s befuddled so many beat reporters and editors over the years.

How does the City make decisions about the electric rates and other topics related to the Electric Utility? They rely on the Electric Utility Advisory Board (EUAB). Learn more about the EUAB below.

The Lake Worth City Commission is unlike any of the other thirty-eight municipal governments in Palm Beach County in that they can lower or raise electric rates; they do not need to get approval from the State or from the Florida Public Service Commission. The Lake Worth City Commission has the final say on electric rates. Period.

Yes. The City does have a power plant — albeit a very old one — and there is the new solar field as well. But like everyone else in Florida, what mostly powers our City are the big three sources: natural gas, nuclear power, and yes, coal too. And almost all of the City’s electric power is delivered via a tie-in line with FPL. The City needs two tie-in lines. But for the foreseeable future will have to depend on that one tie-in with FPL.

Then when it comes to environmentalists, for example, promoting solar power as the answer to our energy needs suggesting it’s even possible to be ‘off the grid’, that creates even more confusion.

That’s why elections are so important.

In September 2015, 6 months after being elected, two City commissioners dropped this bombshell:

Then, 1½ years later, Ryan Maier opted not to run for re-election and Chris McVoy, PhD, lost his bid for re-election. Every time there is talk of raising electric rates that pushes more of the public to consider switching over to natural gas.

Now. What exactly is the Lake Worth Electric Utility Advisory Board? From the City Charter:

The board’s purpose is to advise the city commission, on behalf of and for the benefit of the citizens and residents of the city, on electric utilities policies, plans and programs. The board will advise the city commission on the establishment of:

• Fair and equitable policies.
• Plans and programs that are consistent with customer needs.
• Legal mandates, public policy, operational requirements and the long-term financial stability and viability of the electric utilities.

Powers and duties. The powers and duties of the electric utility advisory board shall include the following:

• Serve as a channel of communications between the city commission, utility department staff, and the citizens of the city and the business owners of Lake Worth, in order to understand and solve the many complex problems relating to water, sewer and electric utilities.
• Promote public access to information on the city facilities, services, policies and programs concerning the future energy needs of the community with respect to the electric utilities.

The EUAB’s role is to review:

• Existing and proposed policies, plans and programs of the city utilities department for electric utilities.
• Proposed capital improvement plans and programs of the utilities department for the electric utilities and electric power plant.
• Existing or proposed electric rate changes, electric rate structures, and the electric utilities portion of the annual budget of the utilities department.
• Assist utility staff by suggesting and reviewing policies affecting programs and services that affect acquisition, delivery or utilization of electric utility resources within the community.
• Perform any other duties which may be within the purview of the committee which may be assigned by the city commission.

Hope this helps to explain the role of the City Commission and your electric rates.

And it’s time to start paying close attention. March 13th, 2018, is Election Day once again. Click on this link to see the candidates for mayor and District 1 commissioner (Commissioner Andy Amoroso had no opposition and will serve another term).