Should Citrus County privatize its utility operations?

That’s what the county is trying to decide, and the next step will be to listen to two companies present their facts and figures during a special county commission meeting at 1 p.m. on Aug. 17.

The commission is looking into the possibility of using a private company for the operation of its water and sewer utilities. However, the commission has made no decision on whether or not to use a private company instead of hired staff.

Veolia Water North America-South, LLC and Woodard & Curran will each get 20 minutes to address the board regarding their qualifications. The meeting begins at 9 a.m. in the commission chambers at the Citrus County Courthouse in Inverness.

The board could vote to choose the most qualified of the two at the meeting, and authorize staff to begin negotiations with the chosen company. The water and sewer utilities are enterprise systems; in other words, they are funded by fees rather than property taxes.

The next regular commission meeting is at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24.