Secretary Roy Poage presented a detailed study of comparison of rates with cities of like kind and size in Texas. On the "high" side it is estimated that Coleman and its citizens, businesses, and schools will pay in excess of $23,459,784 in utilities to AEP over the remainder of the 6 year contract; on the low side Coleman will pay an estimated $9,458,808 in excess over the cost associated with other cities.
If the re-negotiation of the contract is possible, this would mean money would return to the Coleman economy; allowing families an ease to their budgets; business to operate more profitable and possibly expanding; and help to make up for school budget shortfalls.
Why would the 4A EDC get involved? First, as stated above it is good for the overall health of the economy of Coleman. Secondly lower rates are a key factor in attracting new industry and business to Coleman. "The EDC is about creating and retaining jobs for Coleman!" stated 4A President Drew Hubbard.
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I (Craig Allen) am so pleased that the 4A has voted unanimously to help Coleman to reduce their electric bill, and to provide any and all assistance that is legally possible to help Coleman.
We also agree whole heartily with Secretary Roy Poage, who presented the detailed study, that Coleman is paying an extraordinary amount in excess electrical cost and that removing such excess would return money back to where it belongs. Mr. Poage says it succinctly: "would return to the Coleman economy; allowing families an ease to their budgets; business to operate more profitable and possibly expanding"
We also thank Mr. Drew Hubbard, president of the 4A CEDC (Coleman Economic Development Board), for he has hit the nail on the head. "it is good for the overall health of the economy of Coleman. Secondly lower rates are a key factor in attracting new industry and business to Coleman."
Yes! That is what we have been saying, we agree with both of you!. OK, granted this article is a few years old now, and yes in 2012 the contract was renegotiated.
So where are we NOW.
- The contract is now a year longer (we now are strapped with these rates until the end of 2018).
- The rates to the citizens and businesses are HIGHER not lower (we are now the highest in Texas).
- Families are being crushed.
- Businesses are passing on these charges to us.
- Our city property taxes have gone up 50% (2015) to help pay for the massive debt incurred by our utility department.
- Mr. Poage is still secretary of the CEDC
- Mr. Hubbard is still president of the CEDC.
I only mention these last two items to remit this issue back to our two leaders!
Dear leaders, please review this agenda item that you have voted on unanimously, to determine if these statements that you made in 2010 are still valid today. Are our families and businesses still suffering due to these atrocious electrical rates? Are you still willing to do anything legal to resolve this situation, if not why --- has anything changed?
More than 500 citizens are also asking you, the leaders of Coleman, to resolve this situation. I for one am very glad to know you agree that we need to do anything legally possible, which of course is what the electrical petitions are --- legal and necessary.
Let's make sure the ballots are allowed their due legal process and that the voice of democracy prevails.
This is the opinion of one or more individuals.