Council accepts $22.24 million MEAG year‑end credit; BLW staff reports steady finances

Miss Richardson, presenting the Board of Lights and Water report, told the Marietta City Council that the BLW meeting began with routine items and a series of presentations before staff reviewed water and power operations and monthly finances.

The BLW financial recap noted that for March and April the utility is roughly on budget for project costs, with supplemental revenues and costs varying from month to month. Miss Richardson said year‑to‑date total cost is 1% under budget while supplementals were down earlier in the year and are 8.4% above year‑to‑date projections after a February event. She reported wholesale water purchases for April were the lowest in five years, attributing that to rainfall and weather conditions. Reserve balances for supplemental funds were reported at about $28.5 million for the month, down from $30.8 million the prior month; staff said they expect roughly a $200,000 increase next month from year‑end settlement accruals.

At the meeting the council also heard the Budget Rates Committee recommendation that there be no electric rate increase this cycle but that pass‑through rates for water and sewer rise (water by roughly 2–2.5 percent and sewer by about 3.5 percent, as previously voted). The BLW operating budget for the coming year was presented as approximately $174 million and was noted in the meeting packet.

During the session, Joseph moved — and a colleague seconded — to suspend the rules and add an item to the agenda: acceptance of the 2024 Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) year‑end settlement. Council counsel Ron told the body the board of counsel recommended accepting the settlement and applying it to the BLW account. Joseph then moved to accept the 2024 MEAG year‑end settlement and to credit the entire amount — $22,235,824 — to the next MEAG bill and to authorize the mayor to sign the related form. The motion carried on a 6‑0 voice vote.

The council noted the credit will be applied as a lump sum on the next bill; staff said MEAG accumulates the credit monthly and finalizes the figure at year end before issuing the settlement. Council members asked clarifying questions about the timing and whether the credit would appear in the current budget; staff replied the credit will be reflected promptly and will be applied now rather than deferred.

No additional formal changes to BLW rates or the operating budget were adopted at the work session beyond the actions referenced; several budget and rate items were described as previously voted or awaiting formal placement on the Wednesday regular meeting agenda.