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Kanosh council adds 2¢ electric surcharge, opens wider water-rate review
Summary
The council unanimously voted to add 2¢ to the electric surcharge after UAMPS cost pressure; members directed staff to prepare a resolution next month to adjust base electric rates and scheduled a public process on a sweeping water-rate proposal for August.
The Kanosh Town Council voted June 11 to raise the monthly electric surcharge by 2 cents (from 2¢ to 4¢) as an immediate response to higher wholesale power costs, and agreed to begin a broader public process on larger utility rate changes for both power and water.
The council’s motion to increase the electric surcharge passed with an oral aye vote after supporters said recent wholesale bills from UAMPS showed a jump in cents-per-kilowatt-hour. Council members said the surcharge change was an urgent measure and that staff would prepare a resolution to move permanent amounts into the base electric rate in July. The resolution would be considered publicly next month.
A lengthier discussion followed on water rates. Staff and rural-water advisors presented a draft proposal that would raise the water base from the current $21 for the first 10,000 gallons to $30 and replace the current flat overage tiers with a multi-tiered rate schedule (examples shown in the draft: $2.20/1,000 gallons for 10,001–30,000; $2.50/1,000 for 30,001–100,000; $2.80/1,000 for 100,001–200,000; $3.10/1,000 for over 200,000). Presenters and some council members described the increases as large but said they were necessary to fund operations, build depreciation reserves and avoid repeated borrowing for infrastructure projects.
Council members directed staff to hold a public meeting in August on the water-rate proposals before any formal vote. The council’s larger goal is to bring the utilities’ budgets into balance, add modest reserves for replacement and cover rising operating costs without repeatedly relying on loans or grants. The council emphasized that any final water-rate changes will come only after public notice and debate; the town intends to use rural water association studies and meter-read data as the basis for decisions.
Ending: The council implemented an immediate 2¢ electric surcharge increase by vote and set a schedule for a public meeting (August) and a follow-up resolution (July) to consider permanent rate changes for electric and water.
