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Council holds first reading on proposed electric rate changes tied to wholesale cost increases
Summary
Electric Superintendent Blake Waldow told the council wholesale rates rose 5% in April 2026 and proposed a 4% overall municipal rate increase by July, with a restructured rural rate (7.89% higher) to align usage-based pricing; council declined to waive readings and the first reading of Ordinance 1309 was completed.
The Broken Bow City Council on May 26 held a public hearing and completed the first reading of Ordinance 1309, a measure to establish new electric use fees after recent wholesale cost increases.
Electric Superintendent Blake Waldow said the city's electric wholesaler raised rates by 5% in April 2026. Waldow told the council he is seeking an overall 4% increase to city electric rates to be implemented by July; he added that a prior November 2025 adjustment had followed a 9% wholesale increase and that the proposed structure will establish a consistent 7.89% higher rate for rural customers to better align charges with consumption. Waldow framed the change as correcting prior inconsistencies that had placed higher charges on some rural customers.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen recommended council not waive the first reading for transparency. Council voted to keep the three‑reading requirement and the first reading was performed by City Clerk Jennifer Waterhouse; no final adoption vote was taken at the meeting.
