Eugene (KMTR) – After a heated debate at their headquarters Tuesday night, the Eugene Water and Electric Board voted to increase the rates they charge for electricity and water.Several people spoke out against the rate hikes. One commissioner even voted to knock the electric increase down from 5.5% to 3%, but that motion failed. In the end the new electrical rate was passed on a 4-to-1 vote and the water increase of 5% passed 5-to-0.
EWEB says they are paying more to the Bonneville Power Administration power and in order to maintain service and quality the increase is necessary.
Some EWEB customers who testified pointed out that rates just went just last November and they believed many people would not be able to afford this new one.
The average customer will pay about $5 dollars a month more for electricity—possibly more, depending on how much electricity is used. Water bills should up about a dollar month for most customers.
Both increases take effect in May.
