ROCHELLE – Rochelle Municipal Utilities Electric Department’s recent financial study projects stable electric rates with no increases planned through 2029, maintaining a strong debt coverage ratio and healthy cash balances well above recommended minimums. The study forecasts modest inflation and steady industrial growth, with annual customer charges gradually rising to better reflect the cost of service, including residential monthly fees increasing from $10 to around $23 over five years.
Utility Financial Solutions, LLC President Mark Beauchamp presented their findings Monday night. He suggested allowing larger utility customers to go and seek energy on the open market, with the city charging around 10% for distribution. UFS has worked with the city of Rochelle for nearly 20 years.
Blake Toliver, Superintendent of Electric Operations and Generation with Rochelle Municipal Utilities, said the impact will be minimal
“These are a raise in customer charge, but a decrease in kilowatt hour charge.,” he said. “So the average customer won’t see any change in their bill at all, or it would be less than a half of a percent, which is very, very minor in a typical utility bill.”
Small commercial energy rates will decline by 0.6% annually. Overall revenues are projected to grow slightly by 1.6%, with lighting services seeing the largest increase in effective rates. The Rochelle City Council could vote on these changes at an upcoming meeting, with rate and fee adjustments beginning as soon as January.