GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. – In Green Cove Springs, city officials are contemplating a significant change that could lead to a 20% increase in electric rates by the end of the year.
The city held its first public hearing on Tuesday, where residents voiced their opinions on the proposed rate hike.
During the contentious city council meeting, many attendees expressed their frustration.
“Please do not put this on my back,” one resident said.
Mayor Steven Kelley addressed some of the concerns.
“There’s a lot of different elements that got us to this point,” he said.
City officials explained that prior to 2024, the city had not raised electric rates for nearly nine years. As costs have risen, the city’s electric rates remained stagnant, creating a financial shortfall.
The proposal currently on the table includes a 14% increase set to take effect in June, followed by a 6% increase in October, and a potential 2% increase next year. According to FMPA, the organization that assisted with the rate study, that means that a resident using 1,000 kilowatts, currently paying about $145, could see their bill rise to approximately $164 by the summer.
Residents at the meeting expressed their discontent with the proposed increases.
“It’s a big hit,” one person in attendance said. “It’s too much.”
“I came to Green Cove Springs for the low property taxes, the low electric bills and so forth,” another added. “That is not the case anymore.”
Council members acknowledged the difficult position they are in regarding the rate increase.
“We are faced though with the dilemma of an aging electrical system,” Council member Matt Johnson said.
Some residents, however, expressed understanding of the need for improvements.
One long-time resident said, “The changes I’ve seen in 37 years, we’ve got a much better electric system. And sooner or later we have to pay for it whether we like it or not.”
The next opportunity for the public to weigh in is on May 20 at 6 p.m.
That’s the final hearing before a potential vote on the rate increase that would start June 1.
Visit www.greencovesprings.com for more information.
