Provo leaders raise power, water rates

PROVO — It's going to cost a little more to live in Provo — about $100 more over the next year.

The City Council on Tuesday approved increases in power and water rates beginning in July.

In both cases, city officials stressed that Provo's rates for both power and water are a good deal.

"Provo, even with this rate increase, will be among the lowest energy rates in the state," said Kevin Garlick, director of the city energy department.

Power rates for Provo residents will increase 17 percent over the next two years. The increase will come in two phases — 11 percent in July and an additional 6 percent in July 2012.

"This is probably something that needed to be done sooner," said Merrill Bingham, Provo's public works director.

Garlick said it's the first power rate increase in the city in 22 years and will mean an average homeowner will pay $5.75 more a month for electricity for the initial 11 percent increase.

The rate hikes were necessary, he said, to keep up with increases in power costs to the city, to meet upcoming increases in bond repayments and to restore the department's depleted reserves.

Water rates will go up 15 percent, which amounts to about $28 a year for an average single-family residence. The rate increase will show up on bills from May 1 through Oct. 31 at about $4.64 per month, with no increase during the winter months. The summertime increase is designed to encourage conservation.

No one spoke against the rate increases at two public hearings, although several questioned past city practices and at least one said the rate changes were overdue.

City resident Melanie McCoard said the rate increases should be seen as a means of protecting the city's resources.

Ernest Rogers of the Utah Valley Earth Forum urged the council to seek energy resources that were environmentally friendly.

e-mail: mhaddock@desnews.com