ELECTRIC GOING UP ANOTHER 5.7%
At the last Council meeting, Councilmember Kingrea and Mayor Kant said that electric rates had been increased by 5.7% in mid-July to offset rising wholesale electricity costs.
Kingrea: "So . . . don't be surprised . . . when your next bills are bigger."
Mayor Kant said the increase by the city's electricity supplier (AMEA) was due to higher costs for coal-generated power.
Council President Mixon said later that the actual wholesale increase was closer to 9%, but the city chose not to pass on the whole amount to its customers at this time.
Kingrea: ". . . base rate increase was authorized by the Mayor on July 14th . . . it is a mystery to me why we (the city) don't deal with these issues in an upfront fashion, i.e. make a public announcement."
BIG WATER/SEWER HIKES POSSIBLE NEXT YEAR
Also, city Finance Officers announced recently that significant water/sewer rate hikes may be needed next year to offset the high cost for sewer plant upgrades ($3 million) -- and a new water tower and water main north of town (about $6 million).
(Councilmember Kingrea said it was his understanding the Water/Sewer Department wasn't even "breaking even" currently.)
According to Finance Committee member Mac McCawley, the hikes could be as high as 50% -- if offsets/spending cuts can't be found elsewhere.
Currently, about 60% of its utility profits (electric, gas, water/sewer) are transferred to the city's general fund -- for daily operating expenses to run the city.
SPENDING CUTS NOT FORSEEN
When the Times asked the Mayor and Council if they thought there were any areas where spending could be cut back (instead of raising rates), no one responded.
At the last Council meeting, Councilmember Kingrea and Mayor Kant said that electric rates had been increased by 5.7% in mid-July to offset rising wholesale electricity costs.
Kingrea: "So . . . don't be surprised . . . when your next bills are bigger."
Mayor Kant said the increase by the city's electricity supplier (AMEA) was due to higher costs for coal-generated power.
Council President Mixon said later that the actual wholesale increase was closer to 9%, but the city chose not to pass on the whole amount to its customers at this time.
Kingrea: ". . . base rate increase was authorized by the Mayor on July 14th . . . it is a mystery to me why we (the city) don't deal with these issues in an upfront fashion, i.e. make a public announcement."
BIG WATER/SEWER HIKES POSSIBLE NEXT YEAR
Also, city Finance Officers announced recently that significant water/sewer rate hikes may be needed next year to offset the high cost for sewer plant upgrades ($3 million) -- and a new water tower and water main north of town (about $6 million).
(Councilmember Kingrea said it was his understanding the Water/Sewer Department wasn't even "breaking even" currently.)
According to Finance Committee member Mac McCawley, the hikes could be as high as 50% -- if offsets/spending cuts can't be found elsewhere.
Currently, about 60% of its utility profits (electric, gas, water/sewer) are transferred to the city's general fund -- for daily operating expenses to run the city.
SPENDING CUTS NOT FORSEEN
When the Times asked the Mayor and Council if they thought there were any areas where spending could be cut back (instead of raising rates), no one responded.
Comments
There's not going to be a clean sweep either, because nobody's crazy enough to want those lousy/thankless jobs anyway!
My July 1, 2017 bill is for a 36 day usage (from meter reading date to billing date) at $4.9225 per day. My July 28, 2017 bill is for a 28 day usage at $9.1853 per day.
How can an 8 day shorter usage at a $4.2628 increase per day be justified? Many residents have questioned their increased bills in person and by telephone, but I have not spoken to anyone who was satisfied with answers given.
Perhaps enough citizens can implore the City Council members for answers that will result in a credit to our accounts for the overcharged amounts.