City of Houston electrical users will see a 5 percent increase reflected on their bills on March 1, the Houston City Council decided Monday.
The rate increase is the first one in several years that the city has implemented, explained City Administrator Larry Sutton. Other recent hikes represented increased costs from the city’s wholesale provider, Sho-Me Power Corp. of Marshfield.
The new rates are effective Jan. 15 and will be reflected on bills arriving in mailboxes on March 1. The adjustment comes as the city works to shore up finances in the department where major improvements to lines are under way in a multi-year project. New transformers that are more energy efficient are included in the outlay.
The council also is contemplating a small increase in water rates – potentially about $1 per month – that would continue over a five-year period to prop up that fund, but no decisions were reached by the council, Sutton said.
In other matters, members:
-Heard that the city has been reimbursed for more than $200,000 in expenses related to its new wastewater treatment plant. The Rogersville contractor on the project began moving equipment into the site this week. Sutton and City Clerk Tonya Foster were in Jefferson City on Tuesday learning more about processing paperwork for the project, which is financed primarily through federal stimulus dollars totaling about $3.5 million. Another $500,000 also was received for needed sewer system work.
-Learned more about Economic Director Ron Reed’s recent trip to China to work with an industry prospect. Reed also reported that Air Evac’s expansion to Houston includes about 44 workers. Counter Top LLC’s new operation at the industrial park has 23 workers. Also at the park, the Durham Co. has finished a 9,000 square foot addition.
-Heard that the city is slated to meet with a Rolla engineering firm to begin planning for a street extension from Holder Drive north to West Highway 17. Utility work also is required in the region before Lilly Avenue is constructed.
-Learned the city is seeking bids for employee health insurance after its current carrier announced a considerable increase, Sutton reported.
-Referred $13,626 in bad utility debt accumulated this year to a collection agency.
-Heard that sealing of cracks on city streets was to conclude this week.