BENTON, Arkansas — In a meeting that was held on Monday night, people in Benton spoke about their concerns regarding a potential utility rate increase.
Officials at Benton Utilities explained the rate increase will be for upgrades.
According to an information sheet they gave us, it said that Benton Utilities is on the low spectrum for cost as compared to other cities in Arkansas.
People who are living in Benton could be seeing $17 more on their bill each month if this is passed.
It was a full room at Benton's utility rate public forum.
People like Dallas Erdman and Russell Steed are concerned about what this increase could do to those who can't pay more.
"This is going to hurt those that can't afford to be hurt - veterans, senior citizens, [and] anybody on a fixed income," said Steed.
If the Benton councilmen were to pass the proposal, then people will see on average $17 more on their bill each month. Which equals to about $210 a year.
"We have probably done a poor job of treating it as a business and being forward thinking enough to tell [the City of Benton] what it is that we need, [and] not what we believe what we can get past," said Jerry Ponder, Benton Utilities Commission President.
The Benton commission and city council will meet next Monday for the second reading of the ordinance and they could possibly make amendments to it.
Some hope these leaders consider an exemption for certain people.
"I'm just hoping people under a certain income can not get the increase," said Erdman.
Benton Utilities previously tried to pass other proposed rate increases in 2016 and 2019, but they failed.