2% Increase to begin April 1st

Due to the continuation of increases in power costs and most other expenses the cooperative is going to experience our third rate increase in a row, starting with all billings after April 1, 2025. Previously we were able to go for five years between 2018 and 2023 without a rate increase. Since this time, we have had to increase rates by approximately 17%. We know this appears high, however the cost of all other goods on average according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has gone up 25.65% in the same period. This demonstrates that we are doing a good job controlling costs on the things we can control, which is keeping your rates as low as possible.

The cost of power which we have discussed many times before is our largest single expense making up approximately 65% of our budget. The amount of money spent to purchase the power you use in your home has increased at the same rate as CPI, just a little less than 26%. We have previously discussed the causes of these increases, the rising cost of fuel for the power plants along with the need for additional generation, increased maintenance costs due to aging infrastructure, increased costs from compliance with increasing standards and regulations and then like all goods and services they have had to pay additional inflationary costs just like you do in your home or business.

The good news is that even with all the increases we continue to remain one of the lowest electric providers in Missouri while placing in the 95th percentile nationwide. Every electrical provider is dealing with the same issues. A local investor-owned utility has recently filed a proposed 19% increase. The municipal utilities are fighting the same battles as well. Unfortunately, it does not look like this trend will be slowing anytime soon due to the need for new generation and the repairs of aging infrastructure. Webster is planning a course of trying to keep all annual increases in the 2-4% range over the next few years to keep the effect on the membership’s pocketbook to as minimum as possible.

It is our plan to continue investing in the system by updating existing lines and facilities as they approach the end of their useful life, while also updating computer information systems that will provide members with the ability to interact with the cooperative in several different ways. The age of the membership is trending in a younger direction and as such we are seeing new requests for how people interact with the cooperative. We will continue to offer the same options that are currently available but will also be adding additional services as well. These changes will not occur overnight but will be put into place over the course of the next couple of years.

Below you will find a detailed chart showing the current rate of all rate classes and side by side with the new rate. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the office at (417) 859-2216. Thank you again for your support and patronage.