The Crawfordsville City Council gave final approval Monday to a three-phased rate hike for Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power customers.
The new rates, which now go before state regulators, will generate more revenue for substation upgrades. Average residential bills will go up about $13 once the full increase phases in.
Phase one is a temporary rider to make up for the undercollection of rates from a 2016 rate design error. The second phase rolls in next June, followed by the last step around June 2022.
“I do want to thank the council for taking the time and energy to look at what we’re asking for and seeing that it is a true concern,” Utility Service Board President Don Swearingen told the council.
In other business, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance raising the fines for driving trucks on non-truck routes — to $2,500 from $100 per violation.
Councilman Mike Reidy, who lives in a neighborhood where trucks have gotten stuck, said the proposal has received positive feedback from residents near the west side factories.
“It seems like a lot of people on West Main and South Barr have heard about this and they’re all in favor of it,” Reidy said. “$2,500 will certainly get [truckers’] attention.”
