Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

During a daylong work session, the LaGrange City Council discussed the preliminary budget for FY 2025-26.

Expenses in the proposed budget come in at a whopping $174,852,391, an increase over the previous year’s $159,563,563. Fortunately, revenues are also expected to increase to  $179,550,340, a roughly $17 million increase.

The city once again plans to operate without collecting a property tax, but small utility and service rate increases are expected.

A moderate electric rate increase was included in the budget to cover approximately $600,000 in additional generation and overhead costs, plus higher transfers into the general fund.

City Manager Patrick Bowie said there is some good news. Fixed costs from Plant Vogtle are expected to level off and the new data center in the former Jindal Plant is expected to increase revenue when, and if, it comes online.

The proposed change in base rates are expected to recover $1.7 million in additional revenue, which is less than half of the increase needed to cover Vogtle 3 and 4 costs.

With the increase, the average monthly bill to residents would be around $5. Average commercial customers can expect to see a $12 monthly increase.

Bowie noted that even with the slight increase, electricity from the City of LaGrange will still remain well below the rates of Georgia Power and Diverse Power.

The proposed budget also includes a modest natural gas rate increase. Bowie said the increase is needed to pay for gas delivery fixed costs and transfers to the general fund.

An average customer in LaGrange is expected to pay an additional $6 per month for their natural gas.

The proposed budget and utility rate increases are not final. The city council will approve the final budget in June.