Holly Trustees Set April 2 Public Hearing for Electric Rate Modifications

Holly Depot

The Holly Trustees set a public hearing date for 7pm, Wednesday, April 2 for discussion of proposed electric rate modifications to meet the costs of electric energy services provided by the Town of Holly Electric Department.  If approved, the rate adjustments will be retroactive by one day, to the beginning of the month, April 1, 2014 for billing purposes. 

One Holly resident, Barb Dreiling, appealed to the Trustees during the March 3 meeting not to increase the rates.  “Many of our residents are already on fixed incomes or just getting by with the minimum wage,” she said.  Dreiling, speaking during the public appearances portion of the meeting, claimed residents have already been hard hit by gas increases and taxes and asked the Trustees to consider the impact the new rates would have on residents.  Mayor Brad Simon responded, saying, “We’re going to have examples of how rate increases would impact the different classifications of customers, as well as the reasons why the rates are being considered.  We’ll lay that out for anyone who shows up at the public hearing next month.”  Administrator, Marsha Willhite also responded with an explanation stating that the energy charges are actually decreasing along with the ECA, Electric Cost Adjustment, but customer charges have been proposed for increases, especially large power consumers. 

The agreement with GP Irrigated Farms LLC has been approved.  The project south of Holly will require additional electric service and Willhite noted some additional expenditures for equipment that will need to be approved by the board’s finance committee.  Lines, transformers and pad mounted platforms for the project comes to $34,231.09.  The board passed a resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to appoint election judges for the April 1 municipal elections.  Positions are open three board members and the mayor.  If there are no write in candidates beyond the current number, the election would be cancelled as there would be no contest for any seat. 

The next Trustees meeting will be held April 2, following the public hearing for electric rate adjustments.

By Russ Baldwin