ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — People in Vilano Beach and North Beach could be sending their water bills somewhere else.
St. Johns County has agreed to buy the North Beach Utilities for $6 million dollars. According to the county, there are about 1,400 customers.
It means the county would provide water and take care of storm water and wastewater management. The county says rates will remain the same for now but could decrease later.
St. Johns County has agreed to buy the North Beach Utilities for $6 million.
Long-time owners, the Usina family, started the private utility in the 1970s at a time when people on the southern tip of the island depended on their own wells and septic tanks.
Max Usina is the co-owner of the North Beach Utility. He told First Coast News his family created the utility because they felt there was a need for it.
For 50 years, his family’s utility has provided drinking water and sewer service for homes and businesses that have sprouted up in the small beach community.
This week, the Usinas and St. Johns County struck a deal to sell the utility.
The county’s Utility Director, Neal Shikre, told county commissioners Tuesday the utility will require $4 million of immediate improvements, and about $2 million more later.
He said a recent study showed the utility "is in fair to good condition."
As for what customers will pay, Shinkre said Tuesday St. Johns County has something North Beach Utility does not: conservation rates, which basically means the more you consume, the more the rate will be.
He explained that 60% of the transitioning North Beach Utility customers who use 6,000 gallons or less will see a rate reduction when St. Johns County takes charge. The other 40% who use more water will see a rate increase.
Max Usina told First Coast News: "We always planned to sell the utility to the county. The opportunity arose, and we decided it was a good time."
Vivian Browning, a resident and business leader of Vilano since the 1980s, is thankful for what the Usinas have done over the years. She also thinks $6 million "is a good deal" for the county, noting that in that area, it equivalent to the price of two ocean-front houses.
"I support this purchase," she said.
The deal between St. Johns County and North Beach Utilities is expected to be final in late August or early September.