Interview: Boonville Municipal Superintendent Robert Schneider talks upcoming pair of power rate increases
BOONVILLE- There has been some chatter going around Boonville and a little ways beyond after word got out that the Municipal Commission is in the works of securing a pair of rate increases for customers on their power grid.
"We provide a report annually to the PSC (Public Service Commission)," said Municipal Superintendent Robert Schneider. "It's got all of our financial figures in there and when we start showing a loss, we start to look at a potential rate increase."
For context, Superintendent Schneider says the Commission of Boonville has shown "significant loss" when it comes to revenues.
These rate increases are scheduled for over the next year-and-a-half, with the first coming along this fall and the second following in the fall of 2025.
For those who may not understand, folks on the municipal grid may have substantial grounds to mutter and grumble over a rate increase, because Boonville power customers traditionally have some of the absolute cheapest base rates in the entire nation.
On the other hand, Superintendent Schneider points out that it is very normal for municipal power customers to see some sort of rate increase every 3-5 years.
2019 was the last rate increase Boonville power customers saw, according to Schneider.
In addition to rising costs that still linger from the COVID pandemic, Schneider reminds customers of the West Street sub-station fire in 2021, which rendered a transformer and switch gear out of service.
"Temporary repairs were made to equipment so that we could provide power to our customers, but we are in the process of replacing that equipment which is scheduled for the fall of 2025," the Superintendent explained.
"After insurance, we are still going to be out of pocket around $2-million for those repairs, so that is another driving force that our customers need to know. We are, you know, in the process of trying to make those repairs and currently don't have the funding for that to complete that process."
Over the years, Schneider says the Boonville Municipal Commission has a reputation for offering a reliable service and the fact it can be provided with only 12 full-time employees.
"Our main goal has always been to provide the lowest possible cost of power and that is still our mission," the Superintendent iterated.
Be sure to listen to our latest on-air coverage from this month with Robert Schneider for more details:
Municipal Commission of Boonville image.
