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July 12, 2008

Rusk leaves Oncor rate increase to Alliance, PUC

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Rusk City Council members opted to leave the decision to deny Oncor’s rate increase request up to the Alliance of TXU/Oncor Customers.

Council members made the decision after Oncor representative Dave Collier made a presentation on the matter and answered questions.

“We’d like the council to deny the increase so the proposed rates can be review by the PUC (Public Utility Commission) all at the same time,” Collier said.

Oncor’s proposed rate increase would cost the average TXU customer an estimated $5.09 more a month on 1,300 kilowatt hours.

Councilman Don Woodward asked why the company couldn’t just take its request straight to the PUC.

“Why do you have to go through all this rigmarole?” Woodward asked.

Collier said by law the company had to present the case to every city that still holds original jurisdiction over utility rates.

“Some cities have given them up for one reason or another,” he said. “Rusk still has it. We have to file with Rusk and any other city with the same jurisdiction distinction by law.”

The Alliance had 90 days to accept or deny the rate request before the case is taken to the PUC.

“It’s nice to know there’s someone looking out for us,” City Manager Mike Murray said.

Rusk council members also approved on Thursday:

• a resolution to contract with Planning Concepts, Inc. regarding parks and open space planning and grants and to pay for the service with the city’s Recreation Fund;

• increasing bulk water rates to from $6.99 per 1,000 gallons to $20 per 1,000 gallons; and

• an ordinance increasing TDCJ’s water and wastewater rates to $3.25 per 1,000 gallons and $2.75, respectively.

Council members took no action regarding a presentation made by Champion EMS Services since the city already holds an ambulance service contract with ETMC.

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