Greater Pine Island Water Association Board adopts budget for 2021 with no rate increase
At its meeting Tuesday, Dec. 22, the Greater Pine Island Water Association Board of Directors reviewed the 2021 budget presented by General Manager Laurie Adams.
The budget was developed to include infrastructure improvements and increased staffing while at the same time keeping rates the same.
Highlights of the budget and board action:
1. Hiring of a professional engineer to take on design and construction oversight currently completed by outside engineering firms. This is the first time GPIWA will have on staff a licensed professional engineer.
2. Approval of Phases 1 and 2 of the Fruit Streets water main, service and hydrant upgrade with Cabana Construction. The existing 2-inch and 3-inch class PVC water main was installed during the 1960s and cannot support fire hydrants. These two phases will serve approximately 350 parcels with new 8-inch and 4-inch water main covering 3.9 miles. Phase 1 beginning in the spring of 2021 covers Papaya, Tropical Point, Citrus, Cove Street and part of Sabal Avenue. Phase 2, planned for 2022, includes Mango, Tangelo, Gasparilla, Tangerine Street and the remainder of Sabal Avenue. The not-to-exceed price for both phases is $1,932,493.
3. 2021 will be the second year of a five-year meter change out to remote radio read capability.
The 18 staffers of GPIWA worked through the pandemic remaining at work to produce and distribute water to customers on Pine Island.
The Greater Pine Island Water Association is located at 5281 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia, FL 33922. To contact the office, call 238-283-1071.
For more information about the GPIWA or the board of directors, visit https://www.pineislandwater.com/