Its never fun to see your utility bill skyrocket, but thats exactly what some Flandreau residents say theyve been dealing with this summer.
Not only was it hot and steamy for extended stretches, but higher standard summer rates stacked on top of anticipated increases left many households with bigger-than-usual payments. Some said their bills topped $400 last month.
I know when people got their first bill in June, we got quite a few calls, said City Administrator Cohl Turnquist. The reason theyre upset is were on summer rates, which are higher. So for three months, the rates go up and then they go back down, which isnt a new thing.
Summer rates run from June through September, meaning some relief should soon be on the way.
The higher bills also reflect the second year of a planned three-year adjustment approved by the City Council in late 2023. The adjustment, a 5% increase each year, was put in place to keep up with the rising cost of power.
Turnquist said the decision wasnt made lightly. The city spends roughly $1.8 million annually on electricity purchases and is advised to keep at least $1.2 million in reserves for emergencies, such as a major line failure. Revenue from utility bills goes back into maintaining and improving the system.
Still, Turnquist said he understands the frustration. Theres nothing we can do about it. We cant charge one person something different than everyone else, he said. But we are still far below everyone else, so despite it being high, we are still beyond competitive for what rates should be. Theres a lot more good than bad that comes from us owning it.
Turnquist added that he will recommend pausing the third and final increasescheduled for 2026at least for a year. The city plans to reevaluate utility reserves next April before deciding whether its necessary.
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