Columbia residents can expect utility bill increases

The average Columbia customer’s utilities will increase $3.41 a month in the coming fiscal year.

Trash collection rates will increase 48 cents a month for residential units. The rate increase allows the city to give trash collectors a $2 an hour raise.

Electricity rates will rise 2.5 percent or an estimated average of $2.02 per month. However, electric line workers will not receive a specific pay raise.

Columbia Mayor Brian Treece voted against the electric rate increase when approving the fical 2019 budget Monday, but the council approved it 5-1.

Spokesperson Steve Sapp said the electric rate increases are due to several factors including operation and maintenance costs.

The higher rates help maintain cash reserve levels. The electric utility is still $6.7 million below its cash reserve target even with the increase.

In 2018, the average utility increase for Columbia residents was $3.24 a month.

This month, Ameren Missouri customers in central Missouri saw an average monthly decrease of $6.21 on electric bills thanks to a reduction in the corporate tax rate.