Council President Responds to PUC Letter From Council Members

Earlier in the month, council members Rob Brough and Lisa Guerrera sent a letter to council president Judith Dici requesting a reduction in electric rates based on a Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) announcement that customers across the state would be receiving a discount.

Dici, although absent from Monday’s agenda meeting, left a written response to the council members as follows:

I am aware of the May 18, 2018 decision of the Public Utility Commission (PUC). This decision was as a result of the substantial decrease in Federal tax rates and other changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. You both have the ability to place such a Resolution before Council.

The impact of the passage of a such a Resolution would be to create a deficit in this year’s budget. It is always great to be able to give financially back to our community. I anticipate such a give back or refund would be approximately $115,000 to $120,000 of our electric budget transfer adopted in December 2017.

I would support such a reduction if you can show me how to make this amount of money available through our present budget without harming public services for streets, fire protection, police protection or closing parks and other recreational facilities.

I look forward to hearing your response.

As submitted by: Judith Dici, Council President.