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Atmos representative says meter charge will rise 70¢ a month; council approves increase
Summary
Travis Buckner, speaking for Atmos/ACSC, told the Gunter City Council the monthly customer (meter) charge will rise from $22.95 to $23.65 (about 3%), and council approved taking the city’s recommended action to accept the negotiated rate adjustment.
Travis Buckner, representing the Atmos City Steering Committee, explained an annual Atmos Energy rate-renewal mechanism that would raise the monthly customer (meter) charge by $0.70 — from $22.95 to $23.65 — and increase per‑month consumption charges tied to CCF use. "So that's about a 3% increase per month on the meter charge, up to $23.65," Buckner said.
Buckner said average bills will vary with seasonal consumption and estimated an "all in all" average increase of about $7 per month across the Midtex enterprise. He told the council the rate change helps cover modernization and reliability investments and noted Atmos and the ACSC coalition make donations to local nonprofits that provide energy assistance. After questions about assistance programs and who would be affected, a council member moved to approve the negotiated increase; the mayor announced the motion carried.
Why it matters: The meter charge change is billed as a modest monthly increase in fixed customer costs but affects all in‑city Atmos customers; council members pressed staff on options for customers who need help and were told Atmos and local nonprofits have assistance programs.
