GRU Authority asks court for stay, Gainesville says board had its chance

AI-assisted summary

A Florida appeals court ordered the city of Gainesville to justify why it should not grant an injunction to the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority (GRUA).

The order follows a referendum where over 75% of city voters chose to return control of the utility to the City Commission.

GRUA filed an emergency "constitutional writ" in an attempt to block the transfer of power and preserve its authority.

City attorneys argued the GRUA's appeal is unlikely to succeed and is an attempt to deny the will of the voters.

Less than 24 hours after voters in Gainesville voted overwhelmingly on Nov. 4 to dissolve the GRU Authority and return control of the city-owned utility to the City Commission, the city found itself embroiled in another court battle.

The authority, immediat