The Benbrook City Council on Oct. 16 adopted a resolution denying a rate-change application submitted by Encore (agenda item G2717), after staff recommended the application was unreasonable.

Finance Director Rick Overgaard told the council Encore "asked the city to approve a 12.3% increase in residential rates and a 51% increase in street lighting rates." Overgaard said the change would raise the average residential customer's bill by about $7.90 per month if implemented as proposed.

Overgaard described an administrative process that suspended the rate request to permit review; staff concluded the application was unreasonable and recommended denial. "Staff recommends that city council adopt a resolution to deny the rate change application proposed by Encore," he said.

Councilmember Tyner moved to adopt the resolution; Dr. Marshall seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The resolution directs the city not to change Encore's current rates and states Encore will reimburse the city for reasonable rate-case expenses, per the staff report.