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| | Wednesday, September 28, 2016
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Newport Utilities customers face pass-through rate hike
Members of the Newport Utilities Board meeting Tuesday approved new pass-through electric rates to address the new rates from TVA which will go into effect on October 1. Finance Manager Sherry Frisbee said the average residential customer will see a monthly increase of $1.47, small businesses are looking at an average hike of $1.69 and very large users can expect an average hike of $25.36 monthly.She reported that without the pass-through increase, the utility would see revenues decrease by $700,000 annually. Frisbee said all of the power distributors in the Tennessee Valley are passing along the increase. Several years ago the Sewer Department was barely breaking even but today the department has a reserve of $3.5 million, including $1.5 million earmarked for future replacement of current equipment. A search is underway for a suitable location for a Chestnut Hill substation, expected to be in operation in late 2018. Engineer Jimmy Robertson said the location of the planned new Highway 411, to the west of the Ball Corporation operation, is being considered as a site is located. Core drilling currently is underway at one prospective site. The new stretch of highway will connect to Dickey Road and then to the straight stretch of Highway 411 into Sevierville. Customer Service Manager Carman Lichty reported that a second phase of the Fiber/Broadband study is about to get underway. General Manager Glenn Ray said the new phase involves a "deeper dive" into all the facets of an implementation plan, and given the significant investment and scope of a full fiber deployment, a phased implementation is likely. The current timetable anticipates an internal review late this year of the study being conducted by Magellan Advisors. Plans are for the utility to offer broadband/fiber to all of it's existing customers. Current satte law does not allow service to be provided outside of the service area, but Ray reported that he is working with surrounding utilities to connect to service in their area. Lichty reported that she and several other NU employees, who are involved with Leadership Cocke County, have implemented a three year volunteer project to assist local governments and agencies with long term strategic planning. In addition, Chair Claude Gatlin announced that he and others in the Leadership organization also are working to upgrade fencing at the Ccoke County Fairgrounds. The board approved a Verizon lease extension for the use of the cell tower on the water tank. Under the agreement the firm will pay the utility $30,000 to extend the lease till 2035. The utility has planned it's annual Customer Appreciation Day for October 6.
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