City suspends Encore Electric rate change effective date, joins steering committee to review request

Wichita Falls, Texas — The Wichita Falls City Council on July 15 passed a resolution suspending the July 31, 2025 effective date of a requested rate change from Encore Electric Delivery Company so the city can study the filing, cooperate with a steering committee of cities and retain legal and consulting support.

City staff told the council the company's filing would likely raise residential delivery rates by about 12.3% and increase street‑lighting rates to the city by about 51%. “The rate increase as it relates to what it'll affect our citizens in the city are, such that our residential rates would likely see a 12.3% increase every month, and, the city of Wichita Falls would see a 51% increase in street lighting rates,” a city official said.

The resolution authorizes the city to cooperate with a steering committee of other affected cities to hire counsel and consultants, negotiate with Encore, and direct any necessary litigation or appeals. Council members were informed that if the council declined to suspend the effective date, the requested rates would go into effect automatically on the specified date.

Council approved the suspension and the cooperation authorization by motion; the transcript records the motion carried. The city did not propose specific settlement positions at the meeting; staff said the action preserves the city's ability to study the filing and respond through the steering committee process.