VERO BEACH — Vero electric customers could be getting their first Florida Power & Light Co. bill along with their holiday cards.

With the go-ahead Tuesday morning from the Public Service Commission, FPL is planning to close on the Vero electric system Dec. 17, said spokeswoman Sarah Gatewood.

The commission unanimously approved every aspect of the issue involving the sale. The commission has no jurisdiction over the actual sale, but it must approve how FPL records the sale on its books.

That included 12 key issues, such as changing the territory agreements between Vero Beach and FPL and allowing FPL to charge former Vero Beach electric customers FPL rates.

Parties to the PSC issue have one month to file an appeal once the commission's final order is issued.

The commission's approval is the last needed for FPL to finalize its $185 million purchase of the municipal utility.

FPL has been continuously working with the city on the transition, hoping for the final approval, Gatewood said. All that is left to do is some technical integration and switch over customer accounts, she said.

"It's been approved by everyone involved," she said. The company wants to make as smooth a transition as possible, she said.

"It's been something everyone has been working for and wanting for nearly a decade," she said.

Current Vero electric customers will be getting a letter informing them about the transition, Gatewood said. A second letter will contain a PIN to access their FPL account, she said.

If no new appeal is filed, city electric customers will become FPL customers Dec. 17. Depending on their billing cycles, they may get two bills — one from the city for power used before Dec. 17 and one from FPL for the remainder of the month.

The city has been here before. The PSC this summer approved how FPL planned to record the sale. But first the Civic Association of Indian River County protested, followed by the Florida Industrial Power Users group and then Vero Beach residents Brian Heady and Michael Moran lodged objections.

Then power-users group withdrew its objection and Heady and Moran were removed from the appeal because neither attended a pre-hearing conference last month.

Civic Association President Lynne Larkin on "Tuesday declined to comment on the PSC decision until after she reviewed the commission meeting.

More:FPL purchase of Vero Beach electric now on hold until after Thanksgiving

In a hearing last month, the PSC heard from all parties in the case, and last week its staff recommended approval of the commission order.

Commissioner Julie Brown said the voluminous evidence presented at the hearing showed her the benefit of the FPL's purchase, which would remove the long-standing disenfranchisement of customers outside the city limits, who had no say in how the electric utility operates.

"I'm glad we can finally bring some closure here," she said.

More:Public Service Commission begins hearing Thursday on FPL purchase of Vero electric

Commissioner Donald Polmann agreed, saying the public will benefit.

"There are many benefits (to the purchase), and I think overall it certainly does present itself to be in the public interest," he said during the commission meeting Tuesday morning. "When you look at the big picture, there is no issue than to view itself in the public interest."

More:Protests block Oct. 1 closing for FPL purchase of Vero Beach electric system