Intergovernmental authorities can provide a public benefit by facilitating government ownership and consolidated operations of small water utilities. This in turn can reduce costs for these utilities, the value of which may be used to meet capital expenditure requirements or passed on to customers through reduced utility rates.

However, there is insufficient accountability over the acquisition and operations of water utilities owned by an intergovernmental authority. In addition, the Florida Statutes do not ensure that counties and municipalities are able to acquire utilities owned by an intergovernmental authority.

Accountability over water utilities owned by an intergovernmental authority can be improved by

• requiring county or municipality approval of the acquisition of a water utility;
• allowing counties to request Public Service Commission involvement in disputed rate cases; and
• providing for future transfers of utilities to counties and municipalities.