After much deliberation, Galion City Council members unanimously voted during its meeting on Sept. 10 to increase the power cost adjustment (PCA) rate in the city.
Ordinance 2024-68 was brought before the council three times before taking a vote. The current PCA is set at $0.01096 per kilowatt hour. The new rate increase will bring the rate to $0.01250 per kilowatt hour.
In previous meetings, council members explained that rising electricity costs are affecting communities across the country and many will be forced to raise their rates. The council was presented with two plans, one suggesting a single increase this year and another suggesting three smaller increases over the course of a year, with both totals ending at the same point.
The council agreed to the second plan with smaller increases over one year. In the last meeting of August, council member Mike Richart stated that it may be wise to do smaller increases now just in case costs decrease in the next year.
The council will revisit the PCA rates in March and again in September of next year.
Several council members mentioned speaking to their constituents about the issue before taking the final vote. Council member Kent Mecurio said that after explaining the reason for higher rates, his constituents accepted that it was necessary.
Mayor Tom O’Leary told council that it may want to consider a rate study to see “what the true power cost will be.”
Council President Eric Webber suggested that residents could also consider switching to lower kilowatt light bulbs and monitoring the energy output of extra appliances like fans and dehumidifiers.
The ordinance passed unanimously.
Hannah Bryan is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer. She can be reached at [email protected].
