Mansfield council aligns with peer cities to deny Encore rate increase, refer case to PUC

Council discussion on Oct. 13 clarified that Mansfield will not unilaterally accept Encore Electric Delivery Company's proposed rate filing and will allow the matter to move to the Public Utility Commission.

"We're actually denying that to the PUC now," a city staff member told council, explaining the resolution before members and noting the city's coordination with the ENCORE City Steering Committee, a coalition of nearly 27 cities. Staff said the coalition will continue to jointly hire attorneys and consultants to contest the rate request.

Staff explained possible impacts: an estimated average residential increase of roughly 8–10% and a significant effect on the city's tariffed streetlight costs, which the city estimated could increase general-fund expenditures by around $500,000. Councilmembers raised questions about coordination with other cities and the legal avenues available; staff said similar efforts have had mixed success and that certain matters (for example, whether cities can reclaim leased streetlight poles) have not succeeded in state court.

The resolution would formally deny Encore's rate application at the local level and authorize continued coordination and expense-sharing within the municipal coalition as the case proceeds before the PUC. The measure also contemplates hiring outside counsel and technical consultants through that coalition.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with the ENCORE City Steering Committee and proceed with filings and expert support for the case before the Public Utility Commission.