KISSIMMEE, Fla., October 2, 2019 – During its monthly meeting held Wednesday, the Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors welcomed a returning board member and held its annual election of officers.
Jeanne Van Meter, a retired realtor and former Kissimmee city commissioner, took the oath of office to begin a new five-year term on the board. She was appointed to the board in 2011 to complete the unfinished term of director Jim Kasper, who had resigned for health reasons. Van Meter’s new term will expire on Sept. 30, 2024.
In the election of officers, Kathleen Thacker was elected board chairman. She is a retired 30-year employee of Orange County Public Schools, and currently serving her final year on the board.
In addition, the board elected:
Vice Chairman: Ethel Urbina
Secretary: Manny Ortega
Assistant Secretary: Rae Hemphill
Director: Jeanne Van Meter
The five-member board sets policy direction for the utility. Specifically, the board approves annual budgets, sets rates and approves major purchases. The board also directs a president and general manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the utility.
Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility powering 77,000 customers in Osceola County, Fla. For more information, visit http://kua.com.