GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - An appeals court has blocked the city of Gainesville from taking control of Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) while the legal challenge plays out.

On Thursday, the First District Court of Appeals issued an order granting the GRU Authority’s emergency motion to block the charter amendment to dissolve the board from going into effect.

The order gives the parties 20 days to file briefs in the case.

RELATED: Gainesville leaders respond to GRU Authority appeal challenging the referendum

On Tuesday, Gainesville residents approved a referendum to eliminate the GRU Authority and return control of the utility to the city with 75% of the vote.

The authority was initially created in 2023 by the state Legislature, removing the utility from the city commission.

See Full Page