SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. – People came out to the Sumter County Commission meeting Tuesday in protest of the Florida Governmental Authority (FGUA).
The agency wants to build a wastewater treatment plant in Lake Panasoffkee, but the people who live here are saying no.
“It’s a shame. It’s horrific. It’s a travesty, and we do not want it,” one resident said.
The commission planned to set up a public hearing to discuss the sewer project. Then, they made an unexpected announcement to the crowd.
“They will suspend any further work on this project at this time so without the grant funding this project is not feasible,” a commissioner said.
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Many at the meeting stood and cheered after learning the project was on hold due to lack of funding, but the people weren’t completely satisfied.
“I realize it’s delayed now because they can’t get funding, but that means they’re (going to) be back in a year. We don’t want it the next year, either,” a resident said during public comment.
One person I spoke with is hoping the project gets the green light.
“If this project can be funded 90-100% with grants, I believe it’s a great thing for the system for all of the lake pan community,” Caroline Campbell said.
News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts asked her why she thinks so.
“I got a contract on three properties on a canal. All three properties have inoperable systems,” Campbell said. “I believe probably everybody going to a centralized system rather than the EPA coming out checking septic systems would probably be more viable for the whole community.”
The people who are against this project said the group doing the study claims septic tanks are harming Lake Panasoffkee ,and that’s one reason they want to update the sewer system.
“This whole thing about sewage treatment plants to save the lake is a big farce and it’s not true at all,” Russell, a resident, said.
Most people are opposed to the sewage project because they believe it will contaminate the water, increase the price of water bills and bring about unwanted development in rural areas.
News 6 reporter Treasure Roberts asked Sumter County Commissioner Jeff Bogue if they’ll make the final decision on whether the project moves forward.
“Our county attorney tells us we don’t have a legal standing to be able to stop this,” Bogue said.
Debbie, a resident opposed to the project, asked the county administrator what they could do to prevent this from coming back to bite them next year.
He suggested meeting with the agency.
“FGUA is having their monthly board meeting, and we have decided we’re going to go to that meeting and let them know we do not want this,” Debbie said.
The FGUA meeting is on Thursday at 1 p.m.
News 6 reached out to the FGUA for more information on the issue, and the FGUA responded as follows:
Q: Can you explain why the agency is not moving forward with it at this time? Do you all plan to revisit this in the near future?
“Before the FGUA undertook the project, FGUA attempted to receive an indication of potential funding from the State State Revolving Fund (SRF) Clean Water Program and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program. For formal funding consideration, this would require submission of a Facilities Plan to Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER) to USDA. Since funds were not available for this work, with the county’s support, State legislative funding was pursued and ultimately approved at $500,000. The FGUA Board adopted the related grant funding agreement at its December 21, 2023 meeting and companion work authorizations to perform the work at its January 18, 2024 meeting. Since
then, both reports have been prepared and submitted to FDEP and USDA with the intent of getting an indication of funding feasibility this month.
Unfortunately, FGUA was notified that the project will not be listed for priority funding consideration in this SRF funding cycle, due to the following:
FDEP would prefer to have more financial information related to project alternatives evaluated
State staff would prefer to have a Special District established to qualify for “Principal Forgiveness”
The State wishes to have a firmer commitment of support for complimentary funding from the USDA; and
Given strong competition from limited funds, the State will prioritize funds towards other projects which are closer to commencement.
Given this outcome, FGUA has determined that the project is not financially feasible at this time, and it is suspending its efforts.
Should the FGUA Board of Directors permit, FGUA can explore further discussions with Sumter County staff on potential future options.”
Q: Also, lots of residents who live in this area are against the sewer system project because they don’t want more development and higher costs for water. What is your response to their objections?
“As we have shared with the residents, Sumter County controls the land use. FGUA was looking for grant funding to reduce the costs to the residents. Since FGUA has not received financial support, it is not proceeding with the program.”
The Florida Governmental Authority
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