In addition to recognizing the two Electric Lineworker Rodeo Teams, the Board of Commissioners approved the FY 2024-25 budget. Tremendous inflationary pressure has made it impossible to continue to provide safe, reliable utility solutions without the following changes: 

• 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 due to the cost of building 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 largest 15 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 and does not affect type 1 & 2 chargers (which are more likely to be at residential homes or areas). 

Additionally, GUC’s turnover to the City of Greenville will be $8.7 Million (a record amount).  

For employees, the Board fully funded the merit program and a 2.5% market adjustment (cost of living increase) for employee salaries. They also voted to increase GUC’s contribution to employees’ 401Ks from a fixed amount to a percentage of each salary (but keeping the fixed amount for those whom the percentage would have been a decrease).