Lebanon Board of Public Works hears proposal for electric, water rate hikes

The Lebanon Public heard a presentation on recommended utility rates that called for an average 6.7% increase for many residential electrical customers in 2026 at its meeting Wednesday. The rate study was conducted by Toth and Associates and presented to the board by Craig Woycheese, CPA, a senior rate analyst with Toth. It included figures showing the current rates, the proposed increases for residential, commercial and industrial customers and how revenues would be affected. “This is the right way to do it,” Public Works Director Richard Shockley said, referring to the rate study. “Have a study and know where your costs are, and where the costs need to be applied in the rates.” Under the proposal, residential water rates for customers using 5,000 gallons a month would increase by 6.7% in 2026 and wastewater rates would go up by 9.5% next year. The figures are based on customers using 1,300 kWh (kilowatt-hour) of electricity and would mean an increase of about $10 a month to $160 for those customers, according to numbers presented by Woycheese. Water customers using 5,000 gallons a month would see an increase of about $1.35 to @21.55. Wastewater customers using 5,000 gallons a month would see an increase of about $3.40 to $39. For more on this story, see Saturday's LCR.