Columbia Advisory Board to recommend rate structure for electricity

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ.)

On Tuesday night, Columbia's Climate and Environment Commission is set to discuss the rate structure for electricity.

The Water and Light Board is pushing the city to pass a recent proposal to adjust utility rates so that it's more affordable for customers.

The board says moving forward the first priority in keeping rates affordable is by meeting the financial obligations of the utilities in a timely manner. The board believes pushing delays will only result in larger increases in the future. And as a result, it could lead to a larger impact on low-income affordability. 

The advisory board has set a July deadline for utility adjustments in order to move forward in a timely manner. That means the latest council could approve rate adjustments would be at a council meeting in June. Meaning, the introduction of the proposal would have to be at the first council meeting scheduled for May. 

If this process is delayed beyond this point larger adjustments would need to be made to meet the financial targets of utilities according to the advisory board. 

The advisory board is also considering the possibility of hiring an outside expert to help with the process.  

Tuesday's council meeting is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.