LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Little Rock city directors are questioning Summit Utilities after it requested a rate increase earlier this year.
The fear is customers could see bills skyrocket as they did in 2023.
"How can you quantify last year's difference, and what will happen if this is approved?" Little Rock Director BJ Wyrick said.
Summit Utilities said that's not the case, and it's something that's been on its to-do list for a while.
"The Arkansas Public Service Commission mandated we come back for a rate case no later than April 2024," said Brian Bowen with Summit Utilities.
According to Summit Utilities, it's because of "regulatory lag." If approved, the money will go towards maintaining systems and daily operations, like pipes, meters, equipment and personnel.
Summit Utilities has not requested a rate increase since it took over for CenterPoint in 2022.
Customers could see an average of $18 more on their bills if the rate increases.
They said the high bills last year were due to the high cost of gas, which changes annually.
"It is determined by market conditions and market prices," Bowen said. "The utility does not set these prices, and we do not make any profit from this."
Right now, the request is being reviewed by the Public Service Commission. The process takes around 10 months, so customers won't know if their bill will go up until the end of this year.