Managers Message

 

Dear Member:

 

In the September Ruralite, we reported that Benton REA will be implementing a retail rate increase in the spring of 2012.  This rate increase will affect all members including those receiving service under the residential, seasonal, irrigation, commercial and industrial rate schedules. While the rate increase will average about 9.5%, the rate increase for each rate class will vary and will be approximately as follows:

               Residential         9.5%               Seasonal             10.0%

              Commercial       9.0%               Small Irrigation   9.5%

              Large Irrigation 10.0%             Industrial            10.0%

 Because of individual usage patterns and seasonal variations, some members will experience increases that are more than those listed while others may see less.

 The increase will become effective in March of 2012, and will be reflected on the power bills that you will receive the first of April.

 Next month each member will be mailed a copy of the new rate schedules applicable to the electric accounts they maintain with Benton REA. This information will allow each member to estimate their electric bills for 2012 and budget accordingly.  If you have questions after you receive this information, don’t hesitate to call us for clarification.

 We have done everything we can politically, as well as operationally, to reduce the need for a rate increase. Unfortunately, after ten years, one is now at hand. 

 Knowing that a rate increase is coming well in advance, and having the ability to plan for it in our budgets can help, after all that is "The Cooperative Way.”

 Sincerely yours,

Charles Dawsey

General Manager