ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba residents will experience increased utility rates at the start of the new fiscal year.
On Monday, the City Council approved a 3% increase for electric rates, a 5% increase for wastewater rates, and an 8% increase for water rates. Solid waste, recycling, and yard waste rates will remain the same.
Despite the increases, City Council Member Ronald Beauchamp says Escanaba’s rates are still competitive.
“The Electrical Advisory Committee met last week,” he said. “…It was discovered that our rates are in the bottom 20th percentile, meaning 80% of the country pays higher electric rates than we do.”
“These aren’t the easiest decisions to make for the public,” fellow Council Member Tyler Dubord said of the increases. “Sometimes we have to make those tough decisions.”
Last month, the Council voted to maintain the City’s current 17.442 millage rate, so residents will not experience a tax increase.
