SAINT CLAIR - The borough council approved a motion Tuesday night to advertise an ordinance raising the electric rate 1 cent per kilowatt hour.
The rate increase was under discussion due to increased transmission costs associated with transferring electricity to the borough from where it's generated.
"With PPL, the rate increased this past year over 50 percent and these costs keep building up," council Secretary Roland Price said. "Now it's eating a chunk of our revenue, so we have to cover that."
The motion passed with only councilman John Houseknecht opposed to it.
Solicitor Edward Brennan, Pottsville, noted that the increased rate is not yet approved, as this is only to advertise changes to the ordinance.
Members of the borough council addressed the public, stating that the reason it raises the electricity rate is so that it can operate, paying all borough workers including the police department.
Councilwoman Valaria Davis said that while it could increase taxes, the only people who would have to pay it is the property owners, not those that rent, so it creates a fair increase among everyone in the borough.
In other business, the borough council approved a motion regarding electricity bills establishing a late fee of $10 plus 1 percent of the balance due.