Electric Rate Ordinance Amendment
Summary
The city is looking at about $150 million in revenue bonds over five years for water, sewer and electric projects, backed by annual rate increases — roughly $2.91 more a month on electric and about $1.74-$1.92 on water and sewer bills, before power-cost adjustments.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 13, 2026.
Impact analysis
Average residential bills could rise about $6.57 a month across all three utilities, plus variable power cost adjustments.
All utility customers benefit from a modernized grid, reliable water and sewer, and possibly lower long-term costs from peak-shaving generation.
Ratepayers, especially fixed-income and low-income households, face cumulative bill increases each budget year.
Mentions & discussions (9)
Board of Aldermen - Oct 13, 2026
The city will retire its underused EV charging station (2.3% utilization) and eliminate that rate, consolidate street lighting rates, and balance power costs more often to avoid a projected $2.8 million shortfall.
Board of Aldermen (Work) - Oct 13, 2026
The city is looking at about $150 million in revenue bonds over five years for water, sewer and electric projects, backed by annual rate increases — roughly $2.91 more a month on electric and about $1.74-$1.92 on water and sewer bills, before power-cost adjustments.
Board of Aldermen - Sep 8, 2026
Several items touch the electric system: engineering agreements for substation transformer projects, a declaration to reimburse the city for capital improvements, fund amendments, and a step toward a public hearing on changing electric rates.
Board of Aldermen - Jun 9, 2026
The electric service schedule and the general schedule of fees and charges were both up for amendment — changes that could show up on utility bills and service costs.
Board of Aldermen (Work) - May 5, 2026
The electric fund budget jumps 8.5% with five new positions, and the Board restored the long-vacant Engineering Manager job 6-1 despite cash-reserve concerns. Electric rates are already rising, so residents should watch this closely.
Board of Aldermen - Mar 10, 2026
The city raised electric rates 2% overall starting April 1 to cover wholesale power costs and infrastructure needs. Residents packed the hearing describing bills that doubled, and the Board agreed to study the utility's long-term future.
Board of Aldermen - Feb 10, 2026
A public hearing is coming on an electric rate amendment, with Duke passing along a 4.5% wholesale increase. Aldermen want an ad hoc committee to dig into rates and possibly alternative providers like NTE.
City of New Bern sees electricity rate spike by 4.5%
City of New Bern sees electricity rate spike by 4.5% WITN
Board of Aldermen Retreat - Jan 7, 2026
Three separate discussion blocks on the city's electric system: infrastructure needs, rates on customer bills, and the pay-as-you-go program. Rate discussions directly affect household utility costs.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
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