By Lisa Carolin
Following a public hearing that received no comments from city residents, Chelsea City Council approved, 5-1 (Council Member Beth Morris against, Mayor Jane Pacheco absent) the adoption of Resolution #2024-1, an increase in Chelsea Light & Power electric utility rates and fees effective March 1, 2024.
That occurred at the city council’s Jan. 8 meeting. City Manager Martin Colburn reiterated the utility fund will be increased by 1.5%; the residential rate will increase by 4%, an average of $3.09 per month; the commercial increase will be .5%, averaging $1.68 per month; the industrial increase will be 1.0%, an average of 165.15 per month.
Unlike most cities in Michigan, Colburn reminded council members that the City of Chelsea operates its own electrical utility with good reliability of service and rates well below the statewide average.
The last electric utility rate increase was July 1, 2019. He recommended revisiting the topic in one year.
City Council approved reappointing Ron Livengood and Rob Mida to the Downtown Development Authority board for terms ending 12/31/2026. There is one remaining position due to a resignation on the board. For more information, go to https://www.city-chelsea.org/boards-committees-commissions.
Council also voted to appoint Alexander Rasegan to fill the open seat on the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending Sept. 30, 2026.
City Council meets next on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
