Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Tyrone Garner has pointed to concern over monthly bills as a reason to take a critical look at the Board of Public Utilities, saying some in the community perceive that the publicly owned asset is more of a “burden” than a “benefit.” Unlike most in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Kansas City, Kansans, get both electricity and water services through a century-old publicly owned utility founded in 1909. The BPU, a nonprofit governed by a six-member elected board, has shrunk its workforce, by far its largest operating cost, over the past several years. Elected BPU board members have the authority to set electric and water rates to align with the needs to run the service. The most recent rate increases, scheduled to take effect through 2025, came last year despite some resident concerns raised over the cost of utility bills and criticisms of its service.
Source: KC Star Local News
