The board’s conversation was especially attentive to the process of reviewing and approving new development projects in the city. These projects require coordination between various committees and boards, such as the Development Review Committee, Planning and Zoning Board, and City Commission. Each project undergoes a review process involving annexation, zoning, and land use, and demands collaboration between government entities and developers. The board underscored the necessity of managing the review process for water, sewer, and gas components of these projects, as well as addressing supply chain difficulties in obtaining critical items like transformers and meters.

A point of discussion was the challenges posed by supply chain management, which directly impacts the city’s ability to secure essential components for the electric system, such as transformers and meters. The board acknowledged the importance of having a robust strategy to manage inventory and to ensure that developers have timely access to required materials. The ongoing supply chain issues, which included delays and rising costs, were flagged as a concern that could affect project schedules and the overall growth of the city’s infrastructure.

The ramifications of new development projects on the city’s infrastructure emerged as a topic. The board evaluated the potential growth opportunities these projects could bring and deliberated on the fiscal implications, including the associated costs and projected revenue. Policies governing customer aid and contributions were reviewed, with the board examining how developers could participate in the costs of infrastructure development.

The Arbor Park subdivision served as an illustrative case for discussions on revenue projections and infrastructure costs. The high expenses associated with building infrastructure, such as large conductors and switch gears, were highlighted, and the board discussed how customer contributions are calculated based on anticipated revenue over a four-year span. Furthermore, the board examined other agreements with developers, such as the rental lighting agreement, where the city assumes responsibility for the maintenance and replacement of lights.

Another specific example discussed was a mini warehouse project in Fruitland Park. Here, the customer’s contribution was determined by the net revenue over four years and the cost to construct, including expenses related to Make Ready work. Moreover, the board touched on a new elementary school project, mentioning negotiations with the county about the relocation of overhead poles.

The presentation that opened the meeting provided an overview of the electric department’s budget focused on system growth. The presentation delved into the service territory, substations, feeders, and customer types. It also conveyed the classification of critical customers and the Electric Advisory Board’s responsibilities related to load shedding. Specific inquiries were raised regarding technical terms and processes, such as the meaning of 32 MVA, the planned unit addition in the 2029 area, load balancing during storms, and the designation of Priority One feeders.

As the meeting progressed to its conclusion, the board discussed the relocation of existing facilities and the scheduling of electric department projects. The progression of projects from initial concept to completion was detailed, along with the allocation of transformers to various projects. The meeting concluded with a motion for adjournment.