Power rate hike catches some in Boulder City by surprise

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, March 25, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

When the Boulder City Council voted last year to raise electricity rates, most residents expected the new rate to impact their December energy bills. They didn’t, however, anticipate the rate increase affecting their November payments.

Councilman Cam Walker said he has received numerous complaints from residents who are confused as to why their Nov. 15, 2009, electricity bills were calculated using the higher rate.

He said the bills were included in the new rate increase because Boulder City employees only bill customers twice a month.

This was something that wasn’t made clear to City Council members or residents before the rate increase was enacted, he said.

The Boulder City Council passed the 35 percent rate increase on Dec. 8, 2009, to help pay for increased contract prices with NV Energy estimated to cost the city about $4 million over the next year.

To correct the oversight, Walker asked city staff Tuesday night to conduct an electricity rate study until fall 2010 and look into refunding some of the money to residents.

The rate study will examine energy conservation and usage until October 2010, Walker said. The study will also allow the city to monitor power usage throughout the summer months to determine if rates need to be adjusted, Walker said.