Annual Report FY24

Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024 October 2023 – September 2024

Water Wastewater

FPUAnet Electric

Natural Gas

Leadership Information The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority mission is to provide our customers with economical, reliable, and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Frank H. Fee, IV Chair

Kristina Gibbons Vice Chair

Barbara M. Bennett Secretary

Pearl Davis Linda Hudson Deputy Secretary Mayor of Fort Pierce

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

Javier Cisneros Bowdoin Hutchinson PE, CEO/Director PE, Director of Water/ of Utilities Wastewater Systems

Barbara Mika CGFO, Chief Financial Officer

WE ARE A PROUD MEMBER OF:

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Daniel Retherford P.E., Chief Operating Officer

Rachel Tennant Stefanie Beskovoyne J.D., Director of Esq., General Public Affairs and Counsel Sustainability

Letter from Director ver 52 years ago, the people of Fort Pierce came together and made a choice – to create Fort O Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) as a locally controlled utility that puts our community first.

Since then, we’ve worked every day to live up to that responsibility.

Today, FPUA provides electric, water, wastewater, natural gas, and fiber internet, and we remain committed to delivering these essential services with care. We are more than a utility company – we are your neighbors. Over 270 of us work here, and many of us also live, shop, and raise our families right here in Fort Pierce. We recruit from within our community and invest in training so our employees can build careers while serving the place we all call home.

In the past two years, we’ve taken big steps forward to strengthen and improve our services for you. The long-awaited relocation of our sewer treatment plant will protect our environment and prepare our city for the future. We are expanding utility services to ensure more families have access to clean water, sewer service, and affordable, high-speed internet. We’re also upgrading our electric grid to be stronger and more storm-ready, because we know how important it is to keep the lights on – especially in tough times.

But being a part of this community means more than just keeping the water running and the power flowing. Our team volunteers, donates to local food pantries, and supports programs that help our neighbors. Because when Fort Pierce thrives, we all thrive.

We are proud to serve you, and we will continue working hard every day to make Fort Pierce stronger, more connected, and ready for the future.

Javier Cisneros, P.E., CEO/Director of Utilities

OUR HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE In 1972, the citizens of Fort Pierce voted by referendum to establish FPUA. Per the resulting City Charter, FPUA is governed by an independent board consisting of five members. Four members are appointed by the Fort Pierce City Commission, with four-year overlapping terms, and the fifth member is the Mayor of Fort Pierce.

Today, FPUA provides multiple services including water, wastewater, electric, natural gas, and fiber internet. The Fort Pierce City Commission is responsible for approving FPUA’s rates and budget.

Using a designated formula, annually FPUA transfers revenue to the City’s General Fund.

WE ARE A PROUD RECIPIENT OF:

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FPUA At-A-Glance:

COMMUNITY PROUD PROUD COMMUNITY WATER MANATEE CENTERCENTERWATER MANATEE

ATER

COMMUNITY PROUD FPUAnet MANATEE CENTER

WA

WASTEWATER FPUAnet

G

FPUAnet FPUAnet

WATER

WASTEWATER WASTEWATER GAS GAS

COMMUNITY PROUD MANATEE CENTER

ELECTRIC ELECTRIC

FPUA INFRASTRUCTURE

Energy Service Center

Wastewater Plant

• Command Operations

GAS

• Average 5 million gallons per day; Capacity of 10 MGD ELECTRIC WASTEWATER GAS • 110 lift stations ELECTRIC to deliver sewage to the Treasure Coast Energy Center wastewater plant • 300 MW Power Plant owned by Florida • 297 miles of wastewater pipes Municipal Power Agency and operated with FPUA staff support

Electric Distribution System • Average 120 MegaWatts peak load • Two transmission substations • Six distribution substations

Water Treatment Plant • Average 10 million gallons per day; Capacity of 23 MGD • Four water re-pumps to distribute water throughout the system • 417 miles of water pipes

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Natural Gas Distribution System

• Two gas gate stations bring natural gas to Fort Pierce from a high-pressure transmission line • 194 miles of gas mains • 3 miles of service lines

FPUAnet Fiber • 100 miles of fiber to bring internet to FPUAnet customers and free public WiFi

Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community.

Andrew Byrd

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Estela Holman

YEARS

“I enjoy working for FPUA…the benefits and pay are great. I enjoy assisting our customers and working with my fellow employees.”

Water Distribution Superintendent

Jonathan Crumbly

32 YEARS

“I’ve worked at FPUA as long as I have because of the in-house training as well as training from the IRSC. The benefits that come with the job, I enjoy the functions of the job, and working with great co-workers and management.”

Mechanic III Wastewater Collection

30 YEARS

“I applied with FPUA because I wanted stability and a company who will be here for the long haul…not a lot of companies have what we have, therefore, I am grateful.”

Staff Assistant Water Resources

Julie Sizemore

35 YEARS

“I started here with a desire and need for stability and good benefits, I stayed here because of a love for FPUA, my co-workers and our customers. All together, these reasons allowed me to work through any struggle that may have been here at the time.”

Customer Service Manager

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FPUA Strategic Plan

On October 17, 2023 FPUA’s Board of Directors and Leadership Team finalized and approved a Strategic Plan that included Goals and Strategies, listed below:

1

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

FPUA will engage internal and external stakeholders to build relationships and earn trust through collaborative communication.

Strategy 1.1: Demonstrate to citizens the benefits of FPUA to the community.

Strategy 1.2: Use results from the brand needs workshops with individual departments and/ or divisions to establish an opinion baseline, opportunities for improved communications, and empower the Board, Utility Advisory Committee, and staff to be brand ambassadors in the community.

Strategy 1.3: Collect customer feedback to establish an opinion baseline, identify specific interests for customer engagement opportunities, and determine how best to communicate with them.

Strategy 1.4: Foster positive relationships and provide resources to schools and youth-oriented organizations to reach the next generation of customers and employees.

2

GROWTH AND RATES

FPUA will strategically expand services to grow the utility and city in order to provide economical and reliable services for customers.

Strategy 2.1: Continue to improve efficiencies for operation and expansion of services.

Strategy 2.2: Complete the Wastewater Treatment Plant relocation.

Strategy 2.3: Expand and upgrade utility systems for additional customers while maintaining reliability, which includes completion of annexation agreements and leveraging improved brand image to attract additional customers.

Strategy 2.4: Work with FMPA to evaluate strategies for creating natural gas price and Power Cost Adjustment predictability.

Strategy 2.5: Continue to review and evaluate utility rates with a consultant.

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Local Employees Neighbors serving neighbors

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3

WORKFORCE

4

TECHNOLOGY

FPUA will retain and attract the employees necessary to lead FPUA into the future.

FPUA will streamline and automate processes.

Strategy 3.1: Engage in succession planning to prepare for upcoming vacancies due to retirements and a tenured workforce.

Strategy 4.1: Conduct a technology/business practices assessment to identify opportunities for streamlining overlapping platforms and internal functions.

Strategy 3.2: Conduct a comprehensive compensation and benefits study.

Strategy 3.3: Work with a consultant to create leadership training and staff development programs.

Strategy 3.4: Educate students on internships and apprenticeships available at FPUA.

Strategy 4.2: Leverage geospatial and operational data to create real-time business intelligence that can drive a more efficient operation and improve critical decision-making.

Strategy 4.3: Work with cyber and physical security consultants to ensure that all systems and critical infrastructure are properly protected.

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1,000

Volunteer Hours Giving back to Fort Pierce

UTILITY GOVERNANCE

FPUA will provide its Board with the education and resources needed to continue to excel at the performance of its Charter responsibilities.

Strategy 5.1: Develop an onboarding program for new Board Members and provide governance training.

Strategy 5.2: FPUA Board will monitor efforts and hold FPUA leadership accountable for the execution of the strategic workplan.

Strategy 5.3: FPUA Board and leadership will regularly participate in industry conferences and engage with industry-related organizations to learn best practices.

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Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) FPUA’s citizen-led Utility Advisory Committee (UAC) was established on November 2nd, 2021. Members of the Utility Advisory Committee are appointed by the Fort Pierce City Commissioners and the FPUA Board, with three additional atlarge positions that may be appointed by the Committee. The UAC holds its public meetings at FPUA’s Energy Services Center on the first Wednesday of each month at 4pm.

MAJOR INITIATIVES IN FY2024 In FY2024, the UAC successfully completed its first annual work plan, including development of a Mission Statement and About Us Statement: • UAC Mission: To make a difference and build trust in our community by fostering transparency through developing relationships and facilitating dialogue about utility services to be integrated into the decision-making process of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority.

• About Us: The FPUA UAC is a volunteer, community-based advisory group fostering open dialogue, business concerns and community engagement between FPUA customers and leadership of Fort Pierce’s locally-owned municipal utility provider. The UAC typically advises on topics ranging from rates, infrastructure improvement, customer service, and other ways FPUA can better engage the Fort Pierce Community.

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FPUAC FORWARD – PLANS FOR FY2025 In addition to monthly meetings and ongoing dialogue with FPUA staff, the UAC will carry out these activities in FY2025: • Develop a webpage on the FPUA.com website dedicated to the Utility Advisory Committee • Discuss topics of concern including grants, sewer plant relocation, rebates, and modernization • Facilitate FPUA partnership with at least one education partner • Host the second annual Youth Career Event at FPUA

Utility Advisory Committee Members: • Robert Poitier, Chairman • Steve DiPalma, Vice Chair • Jesse Walker, Second Vice Chair • Krissta King • Ivel Sierra • Mary Edwards • Bob Lynch • Jasmine Bernard

The UAC met 12 times in FY2024, learning about and discussing the following topics directly with FPUA staff: • FPUA’s Septic to Sewer Program • FPUA’s Re-vamped Weatherization Program • Sunshine Law training • FPUAnet Communications – Fiber Internet Offerings by FPUA • FPUA’s Combined Utility Bill • Updates on the Relocation of FPUA’s Wastewater Treatment Plant

The UAC also facilitated the following engagement opportunities for FPUA: • Invited FPUA and FPUAnet to present to 21 members of the High Point Community Women’s Club in February 2024 • Coordinated FPUA participation in the BetterTogether Job Fair hosted at First Church in March 2024, 350 jobseekers reached.

• Hosted the first annual FPUA Youth Career Event in September 2024, 104 local youth and jobseekers reached.

• Provided letters of support for FPUA grant proposals that helped FPUA secure $2,000,000 in grant funding so far.

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FPUA Customer Experience At FPUA, the customer experience includes direct engagement with our 21-person Customer Service team, and also support provided by specialized field technicians, sales teams, and more.

MAJOR INITIATIVES FPUA pursued the following major initiatives in FY2024 to improve the customer experience: • Going Green! FPUA took many steps to reduce paper waste, including discontinuing return envelopes, transferring paper forms to an online format, and launching a Paperless Billing and Autopay Initiative.

• Online Forms. Many popular customer forms are now available online to allow customers to submit requests at their convenience.

• Video Billing and Welcome Messages. Customers now receive monthly video bills, providing explanation of the bill and online payment options directly to their e-mail.

• Lobby Improvements. Customers can access tablets in the lobby to enter the queue or make payments.

Customer Service also initiated a new cross-training rotation program to reduce wait times during our busiest days.

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FPUA FORWARD FOR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Future initiatives to improve the customer experience include: • Automated Text Communications. FPUA is undergoing technology upgrades to enable us to send and receive text messages. Once fully enabled, we will have automated outage communications, billing reminders, and more. Please be sure to update your cell phone number on your Customer Portal if you would like to receive these texts.

• Updated Call Center with Call-Back Feature. FPUA is changing our customer phone system. You’ll notice updated messaging that allows you to reach the department you need with greater ease. The new system will also have a highly-requested call-back feature so that customers don’t have to wait on hold for long periods during our busiest days.

• English as a Second Language. FPUA is currently researching tools, technologies, and softwares to better communicate with our customers for whom English is a second language.

• Ready for Anything Initiative. The Customer Service Department is replacing desktops and towers with laptops to be ready to serve customers from anywhere in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

• Expanding Drive-thru Service. FPUA is adding a second drive-thru lane at the Customer Service Lobby, and expanding the services we can provide in the drive-thru lane, which is currently limited to payments only.

BY THE NUMBERS

CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• Processed 230 rebates to help save customers money on utility improvements like natural gas stoves, solar panels, and more.

• Processed almost $1,000,000 of billpay vouchers for customers from community programs.

• 38,000 drive-thru customers • Over 58,000 customer calls • Nearly 28,000 in-person payments processed • Helped nearly 2,000 customers sign up for Budget Billing

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FPUA’s Electric Utility WASTEWATER

GAS

ELECTRIC

FPUA’s Electric Team is responsible for the engineering, design, permitting, inspection, and construction management for major repairs, system upgrades, and construction of new facilities for the Electric Grid. This team also provides support for the maintenance of the electric system through resolving utility problems, system standards development, and load growth forecasting for our growing community.

MAJOR INITIATIVES The FPUA electric division took on the following major initiatives in FY2024: • Deployed Smart Meters for Electric Service. With only 13,000 meters remaining, FPUA is nearing final installation to make all meters “smart”. Once fully installed, customers can view energy savings, usage insights, and more with the click of a button.

Customer Service Representatives will also have the ability to provide real-time remote support.

• Increasing Grid Capacity. FPUA’s Electric Engineering team began designs to install a new transformer at the Totten Substation, which will increase grid capacity and reduce the risk of outages caused by high demand.

• Enhanced Distribution of Electric. FPUA added equipment throughout the grid, including extensions, switching points, and feeder swaps, to reduce the frequency and duration of electric outages.

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FPUA FORWARD Future initiatives to improve the FPUA Electric Grid include: • Enhance System Reliability by installing additional smart grid protection devices and completing the installation of customer smart meters.

• Reduce System Losses by installing additional capacitors throughout the grid.

• Support Growth in Fort Pierce by installing equipment to stabilize voltage for large, new developments.

• Plan Ahead by creating a Grid Modernization Roadmap to prioritize goals and needs to streamline utility processes for effective service.

AWARDS RECEIVED

FPUA was awarded the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3)® Platinum designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.

BY THE NUMBERS

ELECTRIC

• Managed 59 electric construction

projects for new customers.

• Onboarded one new grant project to invest nearly

$5,800,000 of federal funding into storm hardening the FPUA electric grid,

reducing electric outage frequency and duration for all customers.

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FPUA’s Water Utility COMMUNITY PROUD MANATEE CENTER

WATER

FPUAnet

FPUA’s Water Team is made up of 49 specialized TeamUA employees who are responsible for water treatment and water distribution.

WASTEWATER

WATER RESOURCES (treatment) is

responsible for providing clean drinking water to all customers. They ensure that the quality of finished water production from our treatment plant meets all federal and state drinking water requirements while also maintaining cost-effective operations. The team operates and maintains FPUA wellfields, raw water transmission mains, storage/repump facilities, and the water distribution system bacteriological monitoring program.

GAS

for delivering water from the water plant to all FPUA water customers for drinking, irrigation, and fire protection. They are also responsible for maintaining the delivery systems including all water mains, valves, and fire hydrants. The team also includes a Meter Shop, Locators, and Dispatch Administration.

MAJOR INITIATIVES The FPUA Water division took on the following major initiatives in FY2024: • Expanded water service into new neighborhoods.

• Expedited service orders by providing technicians with real-time digital assignments rather than paper assignments.

• Modernized customer experience by piloting advanced water meters.

• Completed in-house refurbishment of and repairs to the Lime Softening water treatment system to extend its life expectancy and increase the water quality.

• Converted the Reverse Osmosis (RO) train from pneumatic to electric control valves to increase reliability and efficiency of the RO treatment process.

• Began historic inventory of FPUA and privately-owned water service lines to determine whether lead or galvanized material is present in the FPUA water system.

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ELECTRIC

WATER DISTRIBUTION is responsible

BY THE NUMBERS

WATER

• Met or exceeded water quality standards all 365 days in FY2024

FPUA FORWARD FOR WATER SERVICES Future initiatives to improve water Services include: • Modernize Water Customer Experience by reaching 50% of water meters converted to smart meters in FY2025.

• Modernize Water Treatment by remodeling the SCADA Control Room for the Water Treatment Plant.

• Upgrade Water Plant by rehabilitating the bulk chemical storage area and the lime stripping towers. This will extend the life of these facilities and be more efficient to operate.

• Expand Water Service Availability by bringing water infrastructure to two additional neighborhoods.

• Enhance Water System by completing the Lead & Copper Rule inventory and replacing any public pipes that are deemed to have lead or galvanized material.

• Maintained 41 drinking water wells and 417

miles of water pipes

• Managed an average of 600 service

calls every month

• Converted 30% of water meters to advanced (“smart”) metering infrastructure • Expanded water service into

5 neighborhoods, providing potable water to 328 additional parcels

AWARDS RECEIVED

FPUA Water received Second Place at the Florida American Water Works Association’s Best Tasting Drinking Water competition.

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FPUA’s Wastewater Utility WASTEWATER

GAS

FPUA’s Wastewater Team is made up of 35 specialized TeamUA employees who are responsible for wastewater collections and wastewater treatment.

WASTEWATER COLLECTION

is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the collection system including preventive maintenance programs to ensure that wastewater can flow through 297 miles of pipes and 122 lift stations throughout the service territory and safely arrive at the wastewater treatment plant.

WASTEWATER TREATMENT

is responsible for the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater, enforcement of the Industrial Pretreatment Program, and efficient operation of the wastewater treatment plant.

Raw wastewater coming into the treatment plant goes through a preliminary treatment, secondary biological treatment, clarification, and disinfection before disposal.

MAJOR INITIATIVES The FPUA Wastewater division took on the following major initiatives in FY2024: • Continued construction and design for the new wastewater treatment plant and conveyance system (see following pages for more information) • Expanded wastewater service into new neighborhoods.

• Rehabilitated sewer pipes, and completed $3.8 million-dollar grant-funded project, using cured-in-place piping technology • Leveraged grants to convert 54 homes from septic to sewer under our low-pressure-sewer-system program • Converted homes from septic to sewer throughout the wastewater service territory.

• Completed the major rehabilitation of one FPUA lift station

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ELECTRIC

BY THE NUMBERS

WASTEWATER

• Rehabilitated 26,000 linear feet of sewer pipes • Expanded wastewater service into 5 neighborhoods, providing sewer to 498 additional parcels.

• Installed 42 low pressure sewer systems (septic to sewer conversions) • Treated 6 million gallons per day of wastewater • Collected and analyzed 2,500 samples to ensure water quality standards are met.

• Hosted 100 visitors and students on-site for tours and wastewater education

FPUA FORWARD FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES Future initiatives to improve Wastewater Services include: • Continue Progress on Relocating the Wastewater Treatment Plant, to include finishing construction of the new treatment plant and beginning construction to re-direct flow toward the new plant.

• Expand Wastewater Service Availability by bringing wastewater infrastructure to four additional neighborhoods.

• Rehabilitate additional aging sewer pipes throughout the system.

• Continue our septic to sewer program.

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Relocating Wastewater Treatment Plant Beginning with community approval in May 2022, FPUA took critical steps toward relocating the Wastewater Treatment Plant off of South Hutchinson Island and over to Energy Lane, in an industrial zone and away from the Indian River Lagoon.

PHASE

1

Design and construction of the new wastewater treatment plant.

PHASE Design and construction to

2

re-route the wastewater flow toward the new treatment plant.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Finalized 100% Design of the Wastewater Treatment Plant • Completed 50% of the Construction of the Wastewater Treatment Plant • Finalized the Preliminary Design Report to lay out a phased approach for re-directing the conveyance system toward the new treatment plant • Raised an additional $37,451,359 of grant funds toward the relocation project • Launched www.SustainableSewer.net/ WastewaterWednesdays to provide weekly updates about project progress

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FPUA FORWARD FOR RELOCATION PROJECT Thank you to our Local, State, • Nearing completion: the Wastewater Treatment Plant is scheduled to be completed in December 2025 • Construction will begin on re-routing the Conveyance System (to redirect flow) in the first quarter of 2025

and Federal Representatives for your tremendous support in making this project possible. Thank you also to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for your generous financial

LEARN MORE

support granted toward this project.

Scan QR code to follow the progress of the Wastewater Treatment Plant relocation.

Disclaimer: This work is funded in part through a grant agreement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection Resilient Florida Program.

The views, statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the State of Florida or any of its subagencies.

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FPUA’s Natural Gas Utility WASTEWATER

GAS

ELECTRIC

FPUA’s Natural Gas Team is made up of 14 specialized TeamUA employees who are responsible for natural gas distribution and sales. FPUA has been in the Natural Gas business since 1962, selling natural gas to FPUA customers through an underground piping network that draws on natural gas wells that are connected to processing plants located in Texas.

SAFETY MATTERS The Gas Operations crews follow a preventive maintenance program to maintain, repair, and efficiently operate the piping network. FPUA’s Gas crews are also responsible for the repair and/or replacement of broken or damaged lines year-round.

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MAJOR INITIATIVES The FPUA Natural Gas division took on the following major initiatives in FY2024: • Completed a major main line extension into Lakewood Park – this is the largest expansion project in the FPUA Natural Gas team’s history.

• Implemented an interest-free payment option for residential customers wishing to add or replace Natural Gas appliances.

• Provided free estimates for installation of customerowned natural gas piping and appliances • Updated marketing materials to include a new webpage and QR codes on door hangers that will provide customers with easy access to customerfriendly information about natural gas services.

FPUA FORWARD FOR NATURAL GAS SYSTEM: Future initiatives to improve Natural Gas services include: • Increase redundancy for maintenance and repairs by installing a third natural gas gate station.

• Improve Natural Gas Service Reliability installing a new gate station in Lakewood Park. This will give new and existing customers more redundancy in the event that any of the other two gate stations need to be taken off line for maintenance or repairs.

BY THE NUMBERS

NATURAL GAS

• Installed 30,000 feet of new natural gas main • Installed 75 new natural gas services (customer connections) • Converted 75% of natural gas meters to advanced (“smart”) metering infrastructure • Expanded natural gas service into Lakewood Park, providing natural gas to

586 additional parcels

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FPUA’s Fiber Internet Utility COMMUNITY PROUD MANATEE CENTER

WATER

FPUAnet

FPUAnet, FPUA’s Fiber Internet Team, is made up of 11 specialized TeamUA employees who are responsible for providing SMART City Services, SMART Grid Solutions, and Broadband Services to homes and businesses throughout the City of Fort Pierce.

WASTEWATER

The FPUAnet team is responsible for all aspects of the fiber optic, ethernet, and networking infrastructure that provides internet services to internal utility business units and external customers.

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GAS

ELECTRIC

FPUA’s involvement in providing broadband communication services to the community helps to fulfill the mission of FPUA. Making improved communication services more readily available tends to positively affect the local economy by attracting businesses, residents, and visitors.

Providing these services also economically encourages competitors to keep their prices low and quality high.

FREE FPUAnet WIFI LOCATIONS MAJOR INITIATIVES The FPUAnet utility took on the following major initiatives in FY2024: • Launched free public wi-fi at Avenue C & 10th Street Park, Marina Square, and Louis Ellis Park • Launched a new, higher-speed 2 Gbps Service offering for Residential and Commercial customers.

• Improved the customer experience by implementing a digital system to expedite service repairs.

• Completed fiber internet expansions in three communities including Lincoln Park, Airport Industrial Park, and Downtown Fort Pierce between Orange and Citrus Avenues.

• Improved customer access to information by establishing an FPUAnet social media presence, and creating an online knowledge base and customer self-help library on the website www.FPUAnet.com

FPUA FORWARD FOR FPUAnet SYSTEM: Future initiatives to improve FPUAnet services include: • Collaborate with Indian River State College to carry out a grant-funded project that will bring free public WiFi to the Blackburn Building and Lincoln Park area.

• Expand FPUAnet Service Availability by bringing fiber internet to an additional 2,000 parcels, to include various neighborhoods on South Hutchinson Island.

• Expand Free Public WiFi Access by collaborating with community partners to bring free public wi-fi to additional locations.

BY THE NUMBERS

FPUANET

• Expanded fiber internet past an additional

1,790 parcels

• Increased customer base by nearly 120% compared to FY2023 customer count • Managed 11 free public WiFi locations throughout Fort Pierce, including an addition of three new locations in FY2024

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FPUA is a Proud Local Employer TeamUA is a team of dedicated professionals who care about our community and the utility services that we provide. Employees receive full benefits that include health, vision, and dental insurance, as well as sick and vacation leave, and vesting in the Fort Pierce pension program after five years of employment.

AWARDS RECEIVED FPUA is consistently recognized as one of St. Lucie County’s Best Places to Work, and received recognition for the eighth year in a row. The Best Places to Work Program recognizes organizations that consistently apply human resources best practices in their daily operations, and assesses factors like turnover rates, compensation, and benefits when choosing recipients for this esteemed recognition

MAJOR EMPLOYER INITIATIVES To improve the employee experience this year, FPUA’s teams took on the following major initiatives: • Benefit Self-Service Portal. FPUA introduced a digital portal that allows employees to view their benefit elections, obtain plan information, report a life event, and view coverage updates 24/7, including access to a medical library.

• Streamlined Applications. FPUA implemented an electronic background screening process for FPUA applicants and Manatee Center volunteers which reduces paper, time, and logistics of onboarding new employees and volunteers through FPUA.

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WE’RE HIRING Scan the QR code or Visit www.fpua.com/careers to find your career:

BY THE NUMBERS

EMPLOYMENT

• Reached nearly 1,400 job seekers through five job fairs.

• Processed nearly 1,400 job applications and scheduled nearly 140 interviews for 50 job positions advertised this year • Enrolled 15 employees in FPUA’s

Education Assistance Program

• Over 75% of employees participated in at least one Wellness Program Activity

RECRUITMENT

DID YOU KNOW?

FPUA participated in four community job fairs, and hosted one FPUA career event in FY2024: • Paychecks for Patriots Job Fair hosted by Career Source in November 2023 • CareerSource Job Fair in the City of Fort Pierce in January 2024 • BetterTogether Job Fair hosted at First Church in March 2024 • Second Chance Job Fair in April 2024.

• FPUA’s Youth Career Event held in September 2024.

• FPUA is a Second Chance Employer.

We actively provide employment opportunities to individuals with past criminal records, supporting their reintegration into the workforce.

• FPUA Supports Employee Education.

Our Education Assistance Program will pay 100% of a degree from Indian River State College, or support the cost of tuition at other schools.

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FPUA is #CommunityProud Over the last two years, FPUA has established a group of employees dedicated entirely to Public Affairs & Sustainability. This team is responsible for: • Community relations, sponsorships, and communications • Grants to reduce our reliance on rates for utility infrastructure projects • Employee engagement programs to connect employees with community and grants initiatives

MAJOR INITIATIVES • Directed grant funds to help 78 FPUA customers pay for septic to sewer conversion • Submitted 15 grant proposals requesting $71,403,214 in grants support across multiple utility divisions • Received 7 notices of grant award for $51,554,992 in grants support across multiple utility divisions • Pack the Backpacks 2024 – TeamUA staff and UAC Members joined forces with 18 community groups donating school supplies for elementary and high school students. We packed and distributed over 500 backpacks, helping nearly 200 families get ready for the new school year.

• Tunnels of Hope 2024 – TeamUA welcomed back over 700 students to the new school year at St. Lucie Elementary.

• FPUA supports educational, musical, and environmental outreach programs reaching nearly 7,000 students in FY2024.

MANATEE CENTER DID YOU KNOW that since 1996 FPUA also operates the Manatee Center through a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Fort Pierce, and with support from the Treasure Coast Manatee Foundation? The Manatee Center is a hub for fostering curiosity and discovery of Fort Pierce’s unique coastal ecology, offering a space where individuals gather to learn, connect and work towards conserving the beauty and natural wonder of the Indian River Lagoon. In FY2024, the Manatee Center reached 52,799 individuals through the exhibit hall, education programs, and off-site events.

Please visit www.ManateeCenter.org to learn more.

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BY THE NUMBERS

#COMMUNITYPROUD

• Engaged 54,320 community members at festivals and events • Volunteered 1,000 hours in the community • Restored 1.5 acres of native seagrasses in our local waterways since 2022 • Collected 8,000 lbs of litter and trash during city-wide clean-up events • Donated 1,000 lbs of nonperishable food through department giving • Donated 12 gallons of blood through bi-monthly employee blood drives • Sponsored 37 local nonprofits

AWARDS RECEIVED FPUA received the “Building Strong Communities” award from Florida Municipal Electric Association.

“Florida’s public power utilities not only serve their communities, but they also help create a sense of community. Whether that’s inviting residents out for movies in the parking to hanging holiday decorations to gathering items for a food drive, our utilities and their employees want their communities to be the best they possibly can because they live there too,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director.

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Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Fiscal Year 2024

ANNUAL REPORT