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Copperas Cove joins steering committee effort and suspends Encore Electric rate increase for review
Summary
Council approved a resolution to suspend Encore Electric Delivery Company's requested rate change to allow cities in the Encore steering committee time to review, hire counsel/consultants and negotiate; the company had proposed a roughly 12.3% residential increase and a 51% increase to streetlighting rates.
The City of Copperas Cove on July 15 approved a resolution to suspend the July 31, 2025, effective date of Encore Electric Delivery Company's requested rate change so the city and other member cities may review and negotiate the filing.
City manager Ryan Haverlau explained the suspension preserves council and municipal partners’ ability to participate in review and negotiation through the Encore steering committee and to hire legal and consulting services if warranted. Staff said Encore’s filing would increase average residential bills by roughly 12.3% (about $7.50 monthly in the staff summary) and raise street‑lighting rates by about 51%, which would increase the city’s direct costs to operate public lighting.
Why it matters: Suspending the effective date gives the city time to coordinate with other municipalities to challenge, negotiate or seek adjustments to the utility’s filing before new rates go into effect. Street‑lighting increases are a direct budgetary concern for the city.
Council action: Council adopted Resolution 2025‑13 (motion by Councilmember Vanya Hart, second by Councilmember Sean Alzona) to suspend the filing and to authorize cooperation with the steering committee of cities served by Encore. The motion passed without noted opposition.
Ending: Staff will participate with the steering committee, and the city may engage legal or consulting assistance as needed to represent municipal interests during review and any appeals.
