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Odessa Board adopts ordinance to simplify energy-cost adjustment, attaches engineer's formula
Summary
The Odessa Board of Aldermen approved an amendment to the energy cost adjustment (ECA) ordinance to align the calculation with an engineer-provided formula, adding the formula as an exhibit and correcting a scrivener's error; the vote was unanimous (5‑0).
The City of Odessa Board of Aldermen on a 5‑0 voice vote approved an amendment to the city code that streamlines how the energy cost adjustment (ECA) on utility bills is calculated, adding the engineer’s formula as an exhibit and correcting a scrivener’s error. The ordinance was assigned Ordinance No. 3171.
City staff told the board the ECA first appeared on residents’ bills in April 2019 and that the adjustment by its nature "varies from month to month" as it passes through purchase-power costs, which prompted public concern about past bills and calls for refunds. The city administrator said staff are reviewing records to determine whether refunds are necessary and, if so, how far back any refund would apply.
The board approved a motion to correct language in the ordinance and to attach the engineer's calculation as an exhibit so the written code and the technical formula match. Contract electrical engineer David Brown told the board the draft language excludes unbilled kilowatt adjustments and is intended as a "temporary ordinance to simplify the ECA calculation only." Brown also clarified the simplified approach removes several factors that were not explicitly referenced in the 2019 ordinance.
Residents who spoke during public comment urged stronger transparency and an audit. Tony Easter said officials ‘‘gave the community chaos instead of clarity’’ by going public before a fix was ready. Vicky Martinez asked for "a full audit…from 2019 on" and a plan for refunds; Gretchen Dorman described an unsustainably large bill after moving in and asked the city to inspect meters and commission an outside audit.
Board members said the ordinance change is intended to align the written ordinance with the calculation engineers used and to stabilize the ECA while a full cost-of-service study and related rate recommendations are completed. The staff report noted the ordinance is temporary and that the board will adopt final rates and any annual adjustments later as part of a more comprehensive rate ordinance package.
The board also discussed next steps for resident concerns: city staff said they would continue reviewing billing records, the auditors are scheduled to be in town to review electric inventory, and the city will present a proposed permanent rate ordinance after receiving the cost-of-service study.
The board’s unanimous vote to approve the correction and exhibit concluded the item; the ordinance now moves forward under the assigned number in the city record.
