The committee would make recommendations about Aloha Utilities, which has received many customer complaints.
By BRIDGET HALL GRUMET
Published May 12, 2004
NEW PORT RICHEY - The County Commission took the first step Tuesday toward creating a local oversight committee for Aloha Utilities, a system in the Trinity and Seven Springs areas long plagued by customer complaints of blackish, smelly water.
The panel, which would include Aloha and county officials as well as independent water experts, would hear customer complaints and make recommendations. It could suggest the County Commission impose tougher "local technological standards" to address discolored and foul-smelling water.
Perhaps more encouraging to disgruntled Aloha customers, the commission also agreed Tuesday to draft a letter saying it is "ready, willing and able" to provide county water to the utility's customers - if a state agency takes the unprecedented step of allowing customers to opt out of Aloha service.
That's a big "if," because the state Public Service Commission has never given customers that choice before, County Commissioner Ann Hildebrand said.
"The key has been the County Commission would remain open and position itself to provide service to the citizens of our county if that is a possibility," Commission Chairman Peter Altman said at the meeting in the West Pasco Government Center.
The county's attitude was encouraging to Wayne Forehand, head of the Aloha Citizens Advisory Committee, and one of nearly 1,500 Trinity residents who signed a petition seeking county water.
The county already is poised to sell Aloha about a half-million gallons a day starting next spring, as Aloha is pumping more than its permit allows. In time, the county could be providing Aloha an additional 1-million gallons a day, said Doug Bramlett, the assistant county administrator overseeing utilities.
"It's obvious the water is available and you can provide it," Forehand told commissioners.
By the same token, county officials have no interest in taking the private utility by force through costly condemnation proceedings, Bramlett said.
As for the oversight panel, the county cannot appoint members until the governor signs the legislation allowing for such a group. If the governor does, Aloha president Stephen Watford told commissioners, "We'll certainly work in full cooperation with you."
In other news Tuesday, commissioners approved a yearlong, $30,000 study on tourists coming to Pasco County. Officials hope the survey, which will be conducted by the University of Florida's Center for Tourism Research and Development, will help the county hone its advertising efforts to lure new tourists.
The study will be covered by the tourist tax, which is collected on hotels and other short-term lodgings to promote tourism.
Commissioners also agreed to start buying land needed for the paving and eventual widening of Old Pasco Road, from Overpass Road to State Road 52. Paving could begin as early as September, county engineer Jim Widman said.
Commissioners also got their first glimpse of a proposed ordinance that would require architectural features and extra landscaping for stores larger than 75,000 square feet. The commission will hold public hearings June 29 and July 13 before voting on the measure.
- Bridget Hall Grumet covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is hall@sptimes.com
