Florida Public Service Commission native order document 07092-2024

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FILED 7/1/2024
DOCUMENT NO. 07092-2024
FPSC - COMMISSION CLERK

BEFORE THE FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

In re: Resolution of the Board of County DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS
Commissioners of Columbia County declaring | ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
Columbia County subject of the provisions of _ || ISSUED: July 1, 2024

Section 367, F.S.

The following Commissioners participated in the disposition of this matter:

MIKE LA ROSA, Chairman
ART GRAHAM
GARY F. CLARK
ANDREW GILES FAY
GABRIELLA PASSIDOMO

ORDER ACKNOWLEDGING RESOLUTION

BY THE COMMISSION:

Background

On May 16, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners of Columbia County (County)
adopted Resolution No. 2024R-13 (Resolution, Attachment A), transferring regulation of the
privately-owned, for profit water and wastewater utilities in the County to the Florida Public
Service Commission. Effective upon the adoption of the resolution, all non-exempt water and
wastewater systems in the County became subject to the provisions of Chapter 367, Florida
Statutes (F.S.). Therefore, the effective date of the transfer of jurisdiction is May 16, 2024. This
order acknowledges that Resolution. We have jurisdiction pursuant to Section 367.171, F.S.

Decision

On May 16, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners of Columbia County passed and
adopted Resolution No. 2024R-13, which transfers jurisdiction over the County's privately-
owned water and wastewater utilities to us. The Resolution contained a list of the privately-
owned water and wastewater utilities which were regulated by Columbia County on May 16,
2024. In addition, our staff has contacted the County requesting information on each utility’s
current rates, charges, and territory served. Since they are now subject to Chapter 367, F.S., each
utility must continue to collect the rates and charges for water and wastewater service which
were being collected on May 16, 2024, until changed by us.

Our staff has contacted the Florida Department of Environment Protection (DEP) to
advise it of the Resolution and to obtain a list of all privately-owned water and wastewater
facilities in Columbia County which DEP monitors for environmental compliance. The utilities

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS
PAGE 2
identified by the County and DEP will receive a letter from our staff advising them of the
transfer of jurisdiction and providing them with information to determine whether or not they are
exempt from our regulation pursuant to Section 367.022, F.S.
Entities which are not exempt from our regulation will receive instructions for filing an
application for grandfather certificates. The resulting applications will be processed in individual
dockets. These applicants will also be advised of their responsibility to file an annual report for
2024, pursuant to Rule 25-30.110, Florida Administrative Code, as well as their responsibility to
remit Annual Regulatory Assessment Fees (RAFs). The applicants will also be advised of their
right to file for a pass-through of RAFs should they not be currently collecting RAFs, or if they
are collecting a lesser amount than they would be paying to us.
We acknowledge Resolution No. 2024R-13 by the County Commissioners of Columbia
County, effective May 16, 2024. All non-exempt, privately-owned water and wastewater utilities
in Columbia County shall be directed to comply with the provisions of Chapter 367, F.S.
Based on the foregoing, it is
ORDERED by the Florida Public Service Commission that we acknowledge Resolution
No. 2024R-13 by the County Commissioners of Columbia County, effective May 16, 2024. All
non-exempt, privately-owned water and wastewater utilities in Columbia County shall be
directed to comply with the provisions of Chapter 367, F.S. It is further
ORDERED that this docket shall remain open to process letters to water and wastewater
operators and their subsequent responses. Upon our staff's verification that the final response
from a water or wastewater system operator affirming exemption status has been received, and
that no further action is necessary, this docket shall be closed administratively.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS
PAGE3
By ORDER of the Florida Public Service Commission this J_g day of July, 2024.
DD
Commissi
Florida Pu lie Service Commission
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
(850) 413-6770
·www.noridapsc.com
Copies furnished: 	A copy of this document is
provided to the parties of record at the time of
issuance and, if applicable, interested persons.
NOT ICE OF FURTHER PROCEEDINGS OR JUDICIAL REVIEW
The Florida Public Service Commission is required by Section 	120.569(1 ). 	Florida
Statutes, to notify parties of any administrative hearing or judicial review of Commission orders
that is available under Sections 120.57 or 120.68. Florida Statutes, as well as the procedures and
time limits that apply. 	This notice should not be construed to mean all 	requests for an
administrative hearing or judicial review will be granted or result in the relief sought.
Any party adversely affected by the Commission's final action in this matter may request:
1) reconsideration of the decision by ft ling a motion for reconsideration with the Office of
Commission Clerk. 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee. Florida 32399-0850. within
fifteen (15) days of the issuance of this order in the form prescribed by Rule 25-22.060, Florida
Administrative Code; or 2) judicial review by the Florida Supreme Court in the case of an
electric, gas or telephone utility or the First District Court of Appeal in the case of a water and/ or
wastewater utility by filing a notice of appeal with the Office of Commission Clerk, and filing a
copy of the notice of appeal and the filing fee with the appropriate court. 	This filing must be
completed within thirty (30) days after the issuance of this order, pursuant to Rule 9.1 10 , Florida
Rules of Appellate Procedure. 	The notice of appeal must be in the form specified in Rule
9.900(a), Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure.

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS Attachment A
PAGE 4 Page 1| of 3

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS Attachment A
PAGE 5 Page 2 of 3

ORDER NO. PSC-2024-0222-FOF-WS
DOCKET NO. 20240089-WS Attachment A
PAGE 6 Page 3 of 3

Duly adopted in regular session this lb day of May, 2024.

COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS

James M. Swisher, Jr. * Ronald Williams, Chairman
Clerk of Court and Comptroller

7, to form lity:

at -
eye & County Attorney

RESOLUTION NO, 2024R-13 Page 2 of 2
p. 8