Hutchins mayor says TXU wants another rate hike

JIM WILLIAMS
Staff Writer

HUTCHINS - Mayor Artis Johnson told a TXU representative it seemed as though the utilities' company wanted a rate increase every year.

Manuel Flores recommended the Hutchins City Council approve the adoption of an ordinance denying TXU's request to change rates for gas in this municipality during a regular council meeting Monday evening, June 16 at city hall. With the motion unanimously approved, Flores said the Texas Railroad Commission would determine residential and commercial gas rates for the city.

Flores said TXU was asking for an 8.99 percent increase, which he said was less than the utilities' company requested in the past.

He said TXU experienced expenses in keeping up with growth, such as new residential areas.

'I thought the new houses going up will be electric,' Councilman Mario Vasquez said.

KB Homes is constructing a new housing development in Hutchins.

Flores said TXU was filing before 450 cities in Texas in an effort to attain more consistency in rates.

'We want system-wide rates all across the board where everybody pays the same,' he said.

TXU's request, denied by council, would've been approximately a $3.99 per month increase for residential and an $8 per month hike for commercial.

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