Rising energy costs will force the City of Garnett to propose a Budget Amendment for electricity and gas expenses to cover cost hikes expected to last at least through the end of 2022. A public hearing will be held at 6:00, the evening of December 27th at Garnett City Hall. The proposal would bump planned spending by the city’s gas utility from $1.8 million to $2.4 million by year’s end, and increase the electric utility spending authorization from $3.9 million to $4.4 million. Those increases and previous energy cost hikes have been an issue for City Commissioners ever since the February 2021 cold snap which saw natural gas and electric rates skyrocket across the midwest and south.
Garnett paid more than $9 per unit for natural gas earlier this year, and though the city’s seen a slight decrease, the annual payments will still exceed the budget that was laid in place in July 2021. City Manager, Travis Wilson says funds to pay the expected cost increases will come from City Utility Reserves.
