The Hermiston City Council is expected to vote to raise electric utility rates for Hermiston Energy Services customers at tonight’s meeting.
HES Superintendent Nate Rivera has recommended that the council raise rates for the first time since 2003. HES is recommending a nearly 11-percent rate increase in May, followed by a 9.5-percent rate hike in May 2016.
If the council approves the rate increase, HES customers would pay an average monthly bill of $112 compared to $113 for UEC customers, $121 for Oregon Trail Electric customers. The current average monthly utility bill in Oregon is $158, and the average national monthly utility bill is $208.
Also at tonight’s meeting, the council will go into executive session for a performance review of City Manager Byron Smith.
The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Hermiston City Hall.
