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Onida adopts roughly 10% electric rate increase for June 2026 meter rates
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 2026-0603 to raise municipal electric rates, citing higher wholesale costs from Oahe Electric. The resolution moves the regular rate from $0.10/kWh to $0.12/kWh and includes other tariff adjustments.
The Onida council adopted Resolution 2026-0603, authorizing a roughly 10% increase in municipal electric rates effective with the June 2026 meter cycle. The clerk read the resolution and said the change was necessary "due to the rising costs" and described the package as "about a 10% increase across the board for everyone."
The clerk detailed specific rate changes included in the resolution: the regular rate rising from $0.10 per kilowatt-hour to $0.12 per kilowatt-hour; dual-fuel electric heat moving from 7.5¢ to 9¢ per kilowatt-hour; a residential monthly increase referenced as an $8 adjustment; and revisions to demand charges. Council members tied the action to a wholesale-rate increase from the city’s supplier (Oahe Electric), saying the municipal utility must pass through higher costs to maintain fund solvency.
A motion to adopt the resolution was made and carried by roll call. In the roll call for the resolution, Marla voted yes, Caleb voted yes, Jessica voted yes, Mike voted yes and Terry voted yes; a member (JR) was not recorded responding to the roll call in the transcript. Council members said the electric fund had been adequate for years but was now under pressure because of supplier increases.
The resolution directs the utility staff to implement the new meter rates and to update billing systems accordingly. Members asked staff to provide follow-up materials on how the rate changes would affect typical residential bills.
