KUA celebrates 122 years
Tuesday the 122nd anniversary of municipally-owned electric service in Kissimmee.
“For 122 years, we’ve been keeping the lights on for our community, and we couldn’t be more proud,” said Brian Horton, Kissimmee Utility Authority President and General Manager. “We will forever embrace our rich history as we carry out our mission, our vision, and core purpose of enriching the quality of life for our customers and the community.”
During a Kissimmee City Council meeting on June 28, 1901, a resolution was passed authorizing the city’s purchase of Kissimmee Electric Light Company from W.C. Maynard for $4,293.59. Maynard, a Kissimmee resident, had owned and operated the private power company in Kissimmee under contract with the city since December 4, 1900.
Upon the purchase, the council appointed a committee to manage the electric system.
KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility and the fifth oldest municipal utility in the state, following Starke (1890), Jacksonville (1895), Ocala (1897) and Williston (1900). In addition, Kissimmee residents began enjoying the benefits of electricity 22 years before their neighbors to the north in Orlando (1923).
The utility’s first purchase was a 15-kilowatt generator in 1901 — enough to power just 150 100-watt lightbulbs or 13 coffeemakers. That was followed by adding three diesel generators in the 1920s to serve the approximately 200 electric customers in Kissimmee at that time.
St. Cloud Fire Rescue seeks online community input
The St. Cloud Fire Rescue Department is seeking feedback from city residents, business owners, and representatives of nonprofits and the faith-based community.
An online survey asks about its expectations of the department, response to emergency situations, its strength and weaknesses. The survey can be found at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/StCloudCommunity.
Take a moment to complete the survey, and share it so other city residents can share their thoughts as well. The survey will remain open until July 10.
Osceola Clerk & Comptroller office announces compensation plan for current — and future — employees
Last week, the office of Kelvin Soto, Osceola Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller, announced the rollout of a comprehensive compensation strategy designed to enhance recruitment efforts, increase retention of valued employees, and to provide a long-term strategy tied to a merit-based philosophy in lieu of prior administrations’ longevity-based systems.
The administration’s new compensation plan will ensure the average hourly pay of operations employees is $18.80 in FY23 and that the office’s minimum starting salary will well exceed the 2026 constitutional mandate at a rate of $16.50— $1.50 per hour more and three years ahead of the constitutional mandate.
“I am pleased to announce a competitive compensation strategy that is designed not only to entice recruitment, but to reward our employees by ensuring their compensation is competitive in both the private and public markets,” Soto said. “Our mission is to advance the well-being of all, one person at a time. This necessarily includes our valued employees who serve our constituents every day.”
Locals named to Leadership Florida team
Leadership Florida has selected the participants for its 2023-2024 Connect Class 13. Leaders from across the state, including corporate executives, business owners, educators, elected officials and nonprofit executives, will participate in educational program sessions and meet other leaders from a variety of backgrounds who represent Florida’s diverse composition.
Among that group are a pair of locals: Sean McElroy, Nemours Children’s Health, St. Cloud; and LaVell Monger, RTW Photography, Kissimmee.
State Toll Relief program saved drivers $40M in May, $190M in 2023
The Toll Relief Program introduced by Governor DeSantis and enacted by the Florida Legislature launched on Jan. 1, 2023. Now in its fifth month of posting credits to customer accounts, Florida commuters continue to see significant savings as a result of the program. In the month of May, account credits of $40.1 million were posted to one million customer accounts.
SunPass and E-Pass users with at least 35 monthly toll transactions will receive a 50 percent toll credit to their account. Locally, transactions are included on Osceola Parkway, Poinciana Parkway, Florida’s Turnpike, State Roads 429, 417, 528 408 and the I-4 Express lanes.
Since the program’s inception in January, more than $190 million in Toll Relief credits have been issued benefiting 1.2 million Floridians. The program runs through Dec. 31 and is expected to provide 1.2 million drivers with savings of nearly $480 over the course of the year, the Florida Department of Transportation said.
