Judge to decide future of water utility in county vs. Weeki Wachee tug of war
By WILL VAN SANT
Published September 10, 2003
BROOKSVILLE - Circuit Judge Daniel Merritt on Thursday will consider Hernando County's $36-million condemnation bid for Florida Water Services' Spring Hill utility.
According to county officials, the condemnation is "friendly," meaning that Florida Water is not fighting the county's action.
The city of Weeki Wachee, however, has its own $53-million condemnation offer on the table. At 1:15 p.m., Merritt will consider Weeki Wachee's objections to Hernando's condemnation attempt. At 1:30 p.m., the judge will consider the merits of Hernando's condemnation of the utility.
Merritt, county attorneys say, may ultimately have to decide whether the county or Weeki Wachee would better manage the utility with the public's welfare in mind.
In addition to its condemnation effort, the county also has a purchase agreement with Florida Water. That deal has not been closed. County officials say they do not care how they acquire the utility, whether through purchase or condemnation, as long as the job gets done.
The court hearings, at the Hernando County Government Center in downtown Brooksville, are open to the public. County attorneys say they are unsure what will result. Merritt, they say, could ask for more information and postpone the hearings to a later date, or, perhaps, hand the utility to Weeki Wachee or the county outright.
