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Willmar City Council adopts modest electric rate increases for 2025–2027
Summary
Willmar City Council on Nov. 4 adopted an ordinance to raise electric rates over 2025–2027 after a Missouri River Energy Services study recommended increases tied to higher power purchase costs; the residential class faces proposed increases of 4.4% (2025), 4.5% (2026) and 4.6% (2027).
Willmar City Council on Nov. 4 adopted an ordinance to adjust electric rates for 2025 through 2027, following a rate study presented by Janelle Johnson of Missouri River Energy Services.
Johnson told the council the joint action agency’s 2024 study recommends an average rate adjustment of about 3 percent across customer classes to reflect higher purchase power costs and other fixed expenses. She said the utility is seeking an increase focused on the residential class of 4.4 percent in 2025, 4.5 percent in 2026 and 4.6 percent in 2027 to help cover roughly a 7 percent rise in power supply costs.
"Our power supply costs have gone up 7 percent," Johnson said. "We analyze every expense to keep rates affordable for our customers." She also noted the utility uses rate adjustments to cover operations, maintenance and planned capital projects.
No members of the public spoke specifically to the electric‑rate proposal during the hearing. After the presentation and a brief procedural pause to open the public hearing, Mayor Reese put the ordinance to a roll‑call vote; the ordinance passed 8–0.
City officials said the utility will continue routine reviews and that another rate study is planned before the 2027 cycle. The council did not adopt a separate schedule of customer bill impacts at the meeting; staff said more detailed, class‑level impacts will be available after final ordinance publication and will be shared with customers.
