Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Water and electric rates increases are on the horizon for customers of Rochester Public Utilities.

The RPU Board will be briefed today on the municipal utilities’ proposed budget for next year. The recommendation calls for a 1.5-percent increase in electric rates in 2018 and another 1.5-percent hike in 2019. Following that, RPU is anticipating annual increases of 2.5-percent from 2020 through 2025.

RPU staff is recommending a 6-percent increase for water usage next year, which is the final year of a three-year budgeting plan for the water utility that also raised the rates 6-percent in each of the two previous years.

The RPU Board is scheduled to adopt the 2018 budget and rate increases at its regular meeting in November. The proposal would appear on the Rochester City Council the following week, and if approved, the rate increases would take effect January 1st.

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