,  Austin Chamber of Commerce View All Reponses >>

Do you support maintaining affordable utility costs across Austin Energy and Austin Water that adheres strictly to the City’s affordability goals for Austin Energy, which require AustinEnergy rates to be in the bottom half of Texas ratepayers and minimizes increases to two percent per year for each rate class? (Y/N Explain)

Todd Phelps

Mayor

Yes, Utility costs increase the cost of living. Austin Energy and Austin Water should strive for economic efficiencies. When Austin Water urged water conservation and then when rate payers achieved lower usage, Austin Water increased the rates. These types of actions are certainly disincentives. The McKalla site that the City wants to give to the Stadium is owned by Austin Water Utility and was paid for by Austin ratepayers. Austin ratepayers need to be reimbursed.

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