Sikeston electrical rates could rise by $5 to $10 monthly

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Sikeston residents and businesses should go ahead and begin planning now for their electric bills to increase, the Standard Democrat reported. "I wish I could say I'm excited to be here," said Ed Throop, executive director of the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities, during the Sikeston City Council's special meeting Monday. Throop said he soon will be presenting a proposed rate increase to the city council for consideration, because of the electrical system not meeting required debt service coverage for fiscal year 2014; the uncertain future of the wholesale power market; and BMU receiving a "negative outlook" from the Fitch Rating Service. Throop said the new rates, if approved by the city council, will mean an increase on an average utility bill of "about five bucks a month and for the second an additional five bucks a month."