MUB rates increase in January; board concerned

The Daily Times



The Municipal Utility Board voted to recommend to the Pryor City Council to raise residential electric rates from $0.0675 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to $0.0750 per kWh effective January 1, 2010 at their November meeting.

The 11 percent increase will apply to all residential rates.

Pryor Councilman Drew Stott addressed the board prior to the vote. He stated his concern as to what the rate increase would impose on the City of Pryor and its citizens. He asked if there were any other option besides an increase.

Board members stated they were equally concerned. They referred him to the city charter.

Pryor City Charter Article 5, Section 46 states in part “each Municipal department shall pay said Municipal Utility Department for its public services at a rate sufficient to meet the latter department’s cost of operation.”

The GRDA rate increase to MUB, also effective at the beginning of the year, is 11.95 percent. The proposed MUB residential rate increase is 11 percent.

The board also voted an increase to the Regular Commercial Customer Rate to $0.0725 per kWh and to increase the Commercial Total Electric Heat Winter Rate (from November to April) to $2.03 minimum for the first 28 kWh; 29-500 kWh at $0.0695 per kWh; 501-1,500 kWh at $0.0590 per kWh; 1,501-10,000 kWh at $0.0575 per kWh; and all usage over 10,000 kWh at $0.0545.

The Commercial Total Electric Heat Rate will be the normal commercial rate (from May to October) and to increase only the Demand Electric Rate to $12.13 per KW with a $60.65 minimum. The Energy Rate will not increase.

General Manager Gary Pruett reported to board that the Sewer Inspection Van has been delivered and he hopes to have the van operational in December.

Settle Engineering’s Ray Murray reported to the board that he met with Guy Engineering regarding the relocation of the water line and electric line for the Salt Creek Project. He reported that MUB should be reimbursed 100 percent relocating expense on water and to expect no reimbursement for the electric relocating expense.

Murray also told the board that McGuire Bros. Construction, Inc. and Gerard Tank and Steel have begun the necessary paperwork for the Westside Water Tower and Water Supply Line.

He is still waiting on DEQ approved plans that must be received before work can begin.

Gas crews replaced a 2” line between North Vann and North Rowe from NE 1st to NE 5th streets. Next up, replacing a 2” gas line at Locke and Harris from Park to SE 2nd street.

Water crews replaced 4” CI water with 6” PVC on North Coo-Y-Yah from Graham Ave. to NE 4th street. Fireplugs were also added.

Crews also repaired a bad spot on the 16” main water line on South Elliott. A steel plate was welded over the holes and concrete was poured over the patch.

Sewage crews are preparing to spend time with a camera technician who will be here to demonstrate and do training on the use of the camera equipment on the new sewer van.

Electric crews changed out a primary pole at 309 E. Graham in order for KAMO to install their fiber on MUB poles.

They also trenched across the Lincoln School playground to reroute the fiber optic cable that was in the way of the new school project. They also removed four metal light poles.

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