By a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority voted down a proposed rate increase for Lafayette Utilities System. LUS Director Terry Huval had sought the rate increase to cover the public utility’s $23 million contribution to a more than $200 million upgrade of the utility grid serving the Acadiana area (CLECO and Entergy are footing the remainder of the cost) while still maintaining LUS’ current operating and maintenance budget. Huval has cautioned council members that a failure to approve a rate increase could lead to job losses and skimping on routine maintenance like tree trimming, which helps mitigate the duration of black-outs following hurricanes.
After more than 90 minutes of back-and-forth questioning by the council of Huval and representatives of the non-profit utility authority that governs a multi-state region that includes Louisiana, council members who comprise the LPUA — the five members of the council whose districts have at least 60 percent city-of-Lafayette residency — shot down the rate hike. Voting for the rate increase were Keith Patin (District 8) and Don Bertrand (District 7); voting against were Brandon Shelvin (District 3), Kenneth Boudreaux (District 4) and Sam Dore (District 6).
Huval has argued that since utility rates are tied to fuel costs and fuel costs are expected to drop next year, even with a rate increase the average utility bill in Lafayette would fall in 2010 and rise as little as .50 and no more than $14 per month in 2011.
The discussion reached a crescendo when the patience of Boudreaux, an opponent of the rate increase from the outset, became threadbare. “Everything that happened here tonight is a dog and pony show,” he fumed at one point, accusing Huval and City-Parish President Joey Durel of pulling the ordinance more than a month ago in order to shore up support on the council. “I’d like to know how many of you have experienced a black out when there isn’t a hurricane,” Boudreaux insisted, “when you simply don’t have the money to pay your bill!”
Boudreaux’s rhetorical flourishes raised the hackles of Bertrand, who interrupted his colleague to take umbrage at the suggestion that the rate increase was pulled for strategic purposes. Council Chairman Purvis Morrison (District 1) later diffused the acrimony by acknowledging that he was the one who asked the administration to pull the ordinance earlier this fall in order to give the public more time to explore the issue. Because the rate hike was denied by the five-member LPUA, a vote by the nine-member Lafayette City-Parish Council was unnecessary.
This week, the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce endorsed the rate hike; the Lafayette Parish Executive Committee of the Democratic Party issued a statement opposing it.
... written by northsidian , December 02, 2009 - 08:41 am
Congratulations the three members who realize we are in the greatest recession since the 1930's. Duh!
... written by Morrow , December 02, 2009 - 09:07 am
I trust Mr. Huval. I trust his concern for the welfare of the people his department serves. I know for a fact he works hard & is one of the hardest working dept. heads in city government. I believe if he says Lafayette needs this, the city does. I would trade slemco for LUS any day of the week!!! All the people I know on LUS realize how good they have it. SO, I GUESS IT WILL TAKE BLACK OUTS TO CONVINCE some people and hey, I'm all for it. I wonder if the traffic lights go out during an outage? I HOPE the speed cameras go out! I hope the first outage is in a summer month. I hope no one dies. I don't think it would take but a few months to change some people's minds... No one like increases and not in this economy, but as Laf. grows, the city has to prepare for it.
... written by realitychecks , December 02, 2009 - 11:39 am
Morrow: on whose behalf are you posting threats?! The real threat is Joey Durel if he fakes such things! He's already been brought up on charges on Redflex. Perheaps he "might" be in for some serious mass retaliation if he pulls that stunt bc it will ire the ENTIRE POPULATION!! ENRON staged pretend rolling black outs and brown outs to hold California hostage for more money.
While Huval enjoys a good reputation, that doesn't mean he can't be used as a pawn since he has a job to keep, just like everyone else.
... written by realitychecks , December 02, 2009 - 11:42 am
Boudreaux’s rhetorical flourishes raised the of Bertrand, who interrupted his colleague to take umbrage at the suggestion that the rate increase was pulled for strategic purposes. *********************** THANK YOU, Mr. Boudreaux! You will enjoy the support of the people IN ALL DISTRICTS with your bravery. Mr. Bertrand, with visions of future political office based on the little Emporer's play book, needs to realize that the old games don't work anymore. When Durel is run out, perhaps you'll get it......
... written by ragin_cajun , December 02, 2009 - 02:12 pm
I see a very consistent pattern from Don Bertrand--and that pattern is more money for city government, for LUS, for anything that brings revenue into city hall. Can anyone point to any tax increase that he has voted against? Can anyone point to any cut in taxes or government spending that he has supported, or initiated?
... written by northsidian , December 02, 2009 - 06:49 pm
Don Bertrand is a lackey for the power-elite in this little country town!!
... written by andymhebert , December 02, 2009 - 10:16 pm
"By a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, the Lafayette Public Utilities Authority voted down a proposed rate increase for Lafayette Utilities System." So, you mean to tell us that 3 LPUA council persons have full control of LUS’s budget. That means 3 out of 9 represent over 60% of the registered City of Lafayette voters. That proves there is no equal representation on the “Conâ€solidated Council.
... written by Morrow , December 03, 2009 - 08:53 am
Friday, snow expected. Hope the electricity doesn't go out!
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN : , December 03, 2009 - 01:47 pm
morrow, the indy will not allow me to air my personal evaluation of your posts, so ya must be connected ta da right peeps, surely not the correct peeps!!!!!!!! AY, GET YA AH LECTRIC GENERATOR from LOWE"S.............
... written by Terry Huval , December 03, 2009 - 06:32 pm
Although the rate increase effort did not get approved, I hope you don't mind my sharing some thoughts with you.
The last time our electric rates were adjusted for the higher cost of doing business was 1998. Since that time our costs for equipment, material, contractors and personnel have gone up like for every other business. While at one time we had wholesale electric revenues to help shore up our financial situation, the combination of a highly congested regional transmission power grid and a changing power market have reduced those revenues to nearly zero.
It is my job to balance the needs of the utility system with the need to keep the customers' bills as low as possible. LUS is not the only entity in this area which has pursured a rate increase; a number of other local utilities are having to do the same. For the other utilities, those decisions are made in Baton Rouge. The difference is the LUS rate increase debate is an open one in our community and is decided by our local elected officials. That is a huge advantage to our citizens who want to weigh in on this important issue and I appreciate your feedback.
The utility needs to remain healthy to continue to provide the quality of service to which this community has grown accustomed. Our past record of reliability and service restoration is the envy of many. Without this rate increase, blackouts probably won't occur tomorrow, or next week or next month. But when its 100 degrees and the transmission system is highly stressed, it just takes one dangling limb or an inattentive bird or squirrel to create a major situation.
It would be "easy" for us not pursue a rate increase. Why create the controversy? The answer is because we truly need it to provide the quality of service this growing community needs. I will be happy to address any substantive questions you may have.
Thanks for listening, Terry
... written by Thomas Edison , December 04, 2009 - 11:02 am
LUS most likely knew a rate increase would be needed years ago during the Fiber debate. Why was it not discussed? Simple, you need to keep the public uninformed.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , December 08, 2009 - 11:25 pm
THOMAS EDISON, You will be notified, don't blink yer eyes, and don't bend ovah in da thunderstorm !
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