The Dallas-based private utility is taking advantage of a provision in Florida law that allows for so-called “price index and pass through increases” without a formal hearing. Nonetheless, Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla said she intends to send a letter of protest to the Florida Public Service Commission. “You need water to survive and to have a monopoly on water where you can raise the rate whenever you feel like it just isn’t right,” she said.

Orange Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who represents the area, asked the county to look into a purchase during Tuesday’ s commission meeting. Bonilla also asked the county to send a letter asking for jurisdiction of the private Pluris utility be transferred from the Florida Public Service Commission to the county to prevent the rate hike.

Orange County District 5 Commissioner Emily Bonilla, who represents the area, says she’s looking into another option of the county taking over jurisdiction of the utility from the state, but those talks are very preliminary.