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Whigham council approves 3% electric rate increase after ECG study
Summary
The Whigham City Council unanimously approved a 3% increase to electric rates following a 12-month cost-of-service study by Electric Cities of Georgia; the change takes effect on the March 28 billing cycle to address a projected deficit.
The Whigham City Council voted unanimously on March 10 to adopt a 3% increase in electric rates after hearing a 12-month cost-of-service study from the Electric Cities of Georgia.Analytical Team.
Cathy Johnson of the Electric Cities of Georgia told the council the study compared expenses and revenues over a 12-month period and showed an operating deficit. "The numbers predicted that if there was no change in rates, the City would not be in a good financial spot in less than 5 years," Johnson said, and ECG recommended a 3% increase to help close the gap.
The recommendation prompted a motion from Mayor Pro Tem Jim Sellers to implement the 3% increase effective with the next billing cycle (the March 28 bills). Robert Porter seconded the motion. All members present—Mayor Trey Gainous, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Sellers, Jimmie Laing, Joel Singletary and Robert Porter—voted in favor and the motion carried.
City officials and ECG staff described the action as a preventive financial measure. The council did not change the percentage in the meeting or request an amendment; it approved ECG's recommendation as presented. The increase will appear on bills beginning with the March 28 cycle and city staff said they would monitor financial indicators and report back to the council.
The council also handled routine procedural business during the meeting, including adoption of the agenda and February minutes, and heard other staff and community updates.
