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Aberdeen aldermen block immediate 3% electric rate hike; public hearing set for March 2
Summary
Alderman John Cain’s motion to raise electric retail rates by 3% failed on a 2–3 roll call; the board later scheduled a public hearing on electric rates for March 2, 2026.
Alderman John Cain proposed a 3% increase to Aberdeen’s electric retail rates during the Jan. 20 Board of Aldermen meeting; Alderman James Ivory seconded the motion. On the roll call, Alderman Nicholas Holliday, Alderwoman Rhonda Moore and Alderman Jeremy Belle voted “Nay,” while Alderman James Ivory and Alderman John Cain voted “Aye.” The motion did not receive majority support.
The board later approved a motion to post and advertise a public hearing on the Electric Department rate increases for Monday, March 2, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. That hearing will give residents a formal opportunity to comment before any change takes effect.
Why it matters: even a modest increase in retail electric rates would affect households and businesses across the city and could change department revenues used to fund infrastructure and maintenance. The scheduled March public hearing creates a formal record and a chance for the public and municipal staff to discuss alternatives.
What happened at the meeting: the 3% rate motion was introduced during general business and recorded on the Jan. 20 docket. No formal explanation for votes in favor or against is recorded in the transcript beyond the roll-call results. The board approved multiple electric-related purchases elsewhere in the meeting, including new LED lights and transformer repairs for the Aberdeen Electric Department.
What’s next: the board will consider public comment at the March 2 hearing before taking further action on electric rates.
