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Kanosh council adds 2¢ electric surcharge and schedules public review of major water‑rate increase
Summary
Council voted to increase the electric surcharge by 2¢ (from 2¢ to 4¢) after bills from UAMPS pushed energy costs higher; staff proposed a multi‑tiered water‑rate overhaul (base from $21 to $30) to address chronic utility shortfalls and fund capital needs, with a public meeting scheduled before any final vote.
Council members voted to raise the town’s monthly electric surcharge by two cents to help meet rising wholesale costs after UAMPS invoices showed a recent jump in cents per kilowatt‑hour. The motion to increase the surcharge passed in a voice vote; councilmembers agreed to review base‑rate changes formally next month and to draft a resolution to move permanent revenue into the base rate rather than rely solely on a surcharged contingency.
At the same meeting, staff presented a proposed restructuring of water rates intended to bring utility revenues closer to operating and capital requirements. The draft would raise the base (first 10,000 gallons) from $21 to $30 and change successive tiers, with higher volumetric charges for very large users. Staff explained the change aims to fund long‑deferred infrastructure needs, a depreciation reserve and an additional full‑time operator to maintain the system and respond to frequent leaks. Council members disagreed on the pace and scale of the increase; some urged a phased approach, others said the base should be raised substantially to cover ongoing expenses. The manager said a public meeting will be held in August to present the proposal and collect community feedback before any ordinance or rate resolution is adopted.
Quotes from the meeting captured both the urgency and the political sensitivity: one councilmember said increasing the base rate is necessary to allow the town to "take care of our stuff in real time without having to pay interest or wait for grants," while another recommended incremental changes to reduce household shock. Staff pointed out that comparable nearby towns charge significantly more for smaller base allowances, and the town’s water study indicates the system needs substantially more revenue to remain sustainable.
Next steps: the council enacted the temporary surcharge increase by motion and directed staff to draft and circulate proposed water‑rate language and to hold an announced public meeting in advance of a formal vote.
