Subcommittee approves local bill to transfer Punta Gorda utility service area to Charlotte County

TALLAHASSEE — Representative Oliver described HB 4077 as a local bill, unanimously approved at the Charlotte County delegation meeting, that transfers responsibility for water and wastewater utilities for customers outside the city limits of Punta Gorda from the city to Charlotte County.

"The bill transfers responsibility for water and wastewater utility services currently provided by the city of Punta Gorda to customers outside its municipal boundaries to Charlotte County," Oliver said, adding the measure requires interlocal agreements between the city and county to implement the transfer.

An amendment (barcode 108035) corrected a reference to the Department of Commerce by replacing a former department name with the current one; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote.

Representative Oliver closed by stressing the public‑health importance of reliable water service and asked for favorable support so residents, businesses and health facilities would not be left in uncertainty.

On roll call, HB 4077 was reported favorably by the committee, 13 yeas and 3 nays. The amendment and the bill as amended were both recorded as passed out of committee for further consideration.

What’s next: Reported favorably to the next House stage; no floor schedule was announced in committee.