Houston’s City Council tackled electrical rates Monday, but delayed any expected increase for more discussion.
The review comes after a recently completed study of electrical rates conducted by a consulting firm. There’s good news and bad news for users: Positive for Houston homeowners and businesses – the city’s electrical wholesaler, Sho-Me Power Corp. of Marshfield, is not planning any price increases next year. However, the city will attempt to bring its rates passed on to consumers more in line with its cost structure.
A special council meeting is slated for next week to discuss electric rates further and continue its development of a budget for 2010.
In other matters, members:
-Heard an update from Mayor Steve Hutcheson, Alderman Don Romines and City Administrator Larry Sutton after a meeting with the city’s fire department. Matters of training, inspections and a newly arrived thermal imaging camera were discussed.
-Learned work continues to progress on a multi-year major upgrade of the city’s electrical system. Nearly half of the town – generally south and west – is using it.
The equipment used generates much more heat, but is more efficient. Property owners will find that tree trimming may be more aggressive because of the heat released by the equipment, Sutton said.
Houston has two crews assigned to the electrical department: One is working on installation of the new equipment, and a second one is performing tree trimming.
-Heard that a road crack sealing machine has been leased and is in use on city streets this week.
-Approved vacating a portion of Sycamore Street at North Grand Avenue, allowing for a new sewer pipe and a new sidewalk as part of the Village Trail.