NEW BERN, N.C. (WITN) – A possible electric rate hike for New Bern residents is on the table at tonight’s aldermen meeting.
A public hearing on the electric rates is listed on the agenda for tonight’s meeting at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The possible hike for residents comes after the city of New Bern’s rate was raised by 4.5%.
City officials say New Bern’s wholesale power supplier, the North Carolina Eastern Municipal Power Agency, in partnership with Duke Energy, is the one driving up the rates.
The aldermen will decide whether the cost will fall on residents and by how much.
Tonight’s agenda packet shows that the board will consider approving a recommended overall 2% increase for customers, including a possible average increase of 0.9% for its residential customers.
The public is invited to weigh in on the proposal.
If the hike is approved, tonight’s materials say the new rate will be effective April 1st.
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