In my previous Letter to the Editor, I mentioned the atrocious 30 percent increase in our electric utility bills. However, upon further review, the actual increase is 32.25 percent and not 30 percent. This is due to the “compounding” of the 15 percent increase in the rate that is then taxed at another 15 percent. For example, if your utility bill from a year ago was $100 apply a 15 percent increase that bill today would be $115. Now apply the 15 percent tax on top of the $115 and your electric utility bill becomes $132.25. So, the increase is actually 32.25 percent as opposed to 30 percent. This means the city slush fund has now grown from an estimated $2.5 million by $81,250 to $2,581,250. For what purpose? The people of Natchitoches need an explanation and accounting of these tax dollars. How are they being spent?. This information should be in broad daylight and readily available. Also, the City needs to provide the authority for this tax. Is it simply the will of the City Council? Can they now impose a 60 percent tax of something?
To see the impact on electricity utility from bills one-year ago, consider the following with an effective increase of 32.25 percent:
Year-ago Bill Today’s Bill
$100 $132.25
$200 $264.50
$300 $396.75
$400 $529.00
$500 $621.55
$600 $793.50
If you are not happy with your increased cost, I suggest you contact your City Council Member and register your displeasure and, in particular, inquire as to how your member voted for your increased cost and why. To the best of my knowledge, there have been no similar (15 or even 32.5 per cent) changes in the SWEPCO rates for the parish customers. Why? What is the city doing with our money? I sincerely hope CLECO, the electric utility provider for the city, does not impose any further rate hikes in the foreseeable future.
Jim McCrory
