The city of Gainesville has a $1.4 million dollar budget shortfall for 2024. The city manager released a statement saying the Gainesville Regional Utility (GRU) owes the city money for services performed during the last two years. “The services billed to the utility include the Clerk’s Office, the City Auditor’s Office, the Office of Equity & Inclusion, and the Office of Communications & Marketing.”
GRU, which was taken over by the state appointed board in October of 2023, denies owing the money, a board member said GRU stopped using the services.
The city will make up the shortfall by pulling money from other budgets and contingency funds. The city also plans to eliminate set-asides for at-risk youth and gun violence prevention.
GRU provides electric, gas, water & sewer, and communications lines for the city. It is the 5th largest utility company in Florida. The board was appointed by Governor DeSantis to strip the city of it’s century-long authority over the municipally owned utility.