Commissioners approved a bid for the upcoming Community Solar Project. The bid was slightly higher than the project budget, so the increase will be sent to City Council for approval. Once approved, the project would begin this summer and should be ready in the Spring of 2025.

The Board approved the preliminary FY 2024-25 budget. Tremendous inflationary pressure has made it impossible to continue to provide safe, reliable utility solutions without raising the following rates:

• Electric rate increase of 3.8% ($4.31 per month for the typical residential customer). This is the first regular rate increase since 2013.
• Sewer rate increase of 5.1% ($2.27 per month for the typical residential customer). Mainly to build clarifiers at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• No change for Water and Natural Gas rates.

It’s important to know that when compared to the other top 15 other cities across the state, GUC’s combined rates for all four utilities are among the lowest.

The proposal also raises fees and establishes a rate for electric vehicle (EV) type 3 fast chargers. The rate would encourage vehicle charging during off-peak hours, help offset the impact of the load they place on our electric grid during peak hours, and would not affect type 1 & 2 chargers (which are more likely to be at residential homes or areas).

Additionally, GUC’s turnover to the City will be $8.6 Million (a record amount). 

The budget will be presented to the Greenville City Council in May and go for final approval by both the Board of Commissioners and City Council in June.