More than three-quarters of voters supported the charter amendment.
For the second time in as many years, Gainesville voters delivered a clear verdict on who they believe should control their utility.
With all precincts reporting and more than 75% in favor, voters overwhelmingly approved a charter amendment to return oversight of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) to the elected City Commission.
The result mirrors — and surpasses — the 73% “yes” vote recorded in 2024 before a Judge invalidated that election on procedural grounds, forcing Tuesday’s do-over. Far from muddled, the outcome shows Gainesville residents know precisely what they want: local control over their century-old utility.
The measure challenges a 2023 state law that stripped City Hall of its authority and placed GRU under a Governor-appointed Board created through legislation sponsored by former Rep. Chuck Clemons of Newberry. That Board has governed the utility since mid-2023.
While Gainesville voters have now twice made their will clear, the GRU fight will likely head to a new venue — likely the courts, but perhaps the Legislature.
Because the GRU Authority was created by state statute, the city cannot immediately retake control without a judicial ruling or legislative repeal. The current Board is expected to continue daily operations while attorneys and state officials sort out the referendum’s legal weight.
Still, the message is hard to miss.
No matter how long the process takes or where the next round of the fight lands, Gainesville voters showed they weren’t “confused” by 2024’s ballot wording and that they clearly want to send the GRU Authority packing.