Page 659 Page 10 of2  MINUTES PUBLIC MEETING August 28, 2024  SPECIAL CALLED CITY COUNCIL MEETING  The City Council of the City of. Jasper, Texas met on August 28, 2024, with thet following members  present to wit:  Anderson M. Land, Jr.. Marcus Barber... DeMarcus Holmes.. Ronald! Sample..... Angel McCroskey.. Lequin Hilderbrand. Greg Kelley.. Liz Jarrell..  Mayor Council Member Council Member Council Member .Council Member Council Member City Manager City Secretary  The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anderson Land at 6:00pm and opened with prayer by Mr. Mayor Land asked for public comments, and there were two. Mr. Jesse Frazier spoke concerning the Mayor Land then asked Attorney Craig Bennett representing the City of Jasper to speak to the citizens. Mr. Bennett explained! SEnergy was hired to help with recommendations: to set ratesi in accordance with sound rate making principles that the public utility commission recognizes as appropriate. Mr. Bennett explained the city proposed a: 3-yeari incremental rate increase, which is making a 3.5% increase per utility bill. Mr. Bennett explained that the electric bill is based ona customer charge, an energy charge, and thet fuel cost. Mr. Bennett explained the bulk of the bill comes from thet fuel cost, but the changes being proposed were tot the customer charge and energy charge. Electric bills do not have af fixed ratel because the fuel cost is subject to change. Rates can go up or down because of the fuel cost changing periodically. Mr. Bennett stated this proposed rate is still better than most co-ops and nearby cities. Iti is att the lower end of the rates being charged. Mr. Bennett believes the cityi is in good shape, but to stayi in good shape an increase is necessary or elset the Cambridge funds will be decreased more which is available to use. Mr. Bennett explained the Cambridget funds should bet for emergency purposes such as hurricane or tornado damage. Mayor Land then asked for comments from the citizens of Jasper concerning the electric rates. Bill Grant voiced his concerns with the 3-year incremental rate adjustment. Mr. Craig Bennett stated the 3-year incremental rate adjustment is not set in stone, and it can be changed year byyeari if needed. Mike Lout then spoke concerning the Cambridge funds and Proposition "A". Mr. Craig  Scott. All members were present.  budget. Mr. Bowe Limbrick spoke concerning homelessness in. Jasper.    Page 660 Page2of2  Bennett stated the Cityi isi in compliance with the ordinance for Proposition* "A". Ms. Marsha Anderson then spoke concerning the increase in electrical rates. Ms. Carolyn Garrett also spoke concerning thei increase in electrical rates. Mr. Craig Bennett reiterated that the council can choose to either use Cambridge funds instead of a rate increase ori implement: the 3-year incremental rate Mayor Land then announced at 6:54pm council will goi into executive session regarding personnel matters concerning the salary for the city manager. The meeting was reconvened at 7:10pm. No Council Member Lequin Hilderbrand then made comments regarding everyone, gettinga alongwith  adjustment fort the fiscal year 2025-2026.  action was taken by the executive session.  each other.  With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:12pm.  Adih AndersonLand,0  Attest:  S4 Liz. Jarrell, City Secretary