Killeen joins steering committee action to suspend ENCORE rate increase; council approves participation 6-0

The Killeen City Council approved, as part of its July 15 consent agenda, a resolution to suspend the July 31 effective date of an ENCORE rate filing and to participate with the Steering Committee of cities that represent local governments served by ENCORE.

City Attorney (unnamed) summarized the filing: ENCORE sought a system-wide transmission and distribution increase totaling about $8.34 million (13%), including a proposed 51% increase in street-lighting rates and a 12.3% average residential increase (about $7.90 per month for the average customer, per staff figures). The requested rates would become effective July 31 unless suspended. ‘‘The law allows entities to suspend the effective date of a rate increase for 90 days,’’ the city attorney said, and suspension would allow the steering committee time to evaluate compliance, negotiate and possibly reach settlement.

Staff recommended suspension of the effective date and city participation with the steering committee. Council approved the consent agenda motion, which included the ENCORE suspension resolution (RS25110 and related item numbers), by a 6-0 vote. Councilmember Solomon moved approval of the consent agenda, and Councilmember Alvarez seconded.

Action taken: the city authorized the city manager to cooperate with the steering committee and to suspend the proposed ENCORE rate change while the committee reviews the filing and considers next steps. The suspension preserves the city’s right to contest the filing before the Public Utility Commission or in settlement talks.