WINTER PARK, Fla. – Two decades ago, the City of Winter Park made a move few communities dare to try: taking control of its own electric utility.

What began as a heated legal battle with Progress Energy has turned into a national example of how municipal ownership can work.

“We had a right to purchase the system, but the utility didn’t want to let it go,” said Winter Park City Manager Randy Knight. “It took arbitration, legal challenges, and ultimately a referendum. But in 2003, the voters said yes - by nearly 70%.”

Not everyone supported the idea. Longtime Winter Park resident Ray Renfro admits he voted against it.

“I was positive that it would be a boondoggle,” Renfro said. “From my experience with government, it’s very inefficient. Things they do cost more than private companies. I

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