Customers of Vero Electric may soon see a slight decrease in rates, thanks to lower power costs and greater than expected demand. According to City Manager Jim O’Connor, he will recommend to the Finance Commission at its Jan. 15 meeting a 1.1 percent reduction in the base rate the city charges for power.
O’Connor said a recent rate sufficiency study revealed the price the city pays for wholesale power from the FMPA and the Orlando Utilities Commission, which is by far the highest component of total expenses for the electric system, was lower than expected in the fourth quarter of 2013, and the trend appears to be continuing into 2014.
Demand for power over the past few months was also higher than expected, contributing to better financial performance for the electric system, O’Connor said.
O’Connor said that because of fluctuating power costs, he is going to recommend adjustments be considered quarterly.
Indian River Guardian 
Thanks to Jay Kramer for bringing the topic of lowering electric bills,despite FPL ‘s objections. Wow a City Council actually responding to the will of the people ! I don’t really believe the city manager
would have ever done this on his own !
Hip Hip Hurray for Jay Kramer for thinking of us city of Vero Beach citizens above everybody else.
He needs more support at the council meetings.
Wow, I will save $2.50 on my Electric bill of $500.00 per month! Remember the fuel adjustment cost is approximately 130% of the regular bill! I can’t thank the City enough, how generous of them! I will now be able buy a quart of milk at Publix for this savings. Keep up the good work; I am now only paying 39% higher for my electric than I would with FPL! On a second note this sarcasm has nothing to do with Jay Kramer, if the City listened to him a few years ago we wouldn’t be in this jam!
And if the rates were going up another one percent, you would say, “So what. It’s just another $2.50 a month.” I don’t think so.
Dear Mark, you are so right! “So what, it’s just another $5.75” remember to add another 130%.
Larry, I quoted your original post in which you indicated you would save $2.50 as a result of the proposed rate reduction, but I’m not following your calculation exactly. If your electric bill of $500 a month is either increased or decreased by 1.1 percent, the difference would be $5.5 – with a result of either $494.5, or $505.5. No?
This proposed rate reduction is no reason for those opposed to the sale to rise up out of the trenches. If, however, the previous troika were still in power, one would have to wonder if Mr. O’Connor would consider it politically wise to propose even the most modest of rate reductions.
I am willing to bet more rate reductions can be made . Lets face it ,the troika kept the rates high inorder to induce people to vote for the sale to FP&L and later the re-election of the incorrigible Tracy Carroll . Turner and Fletcher are pawns manipulated by FP&L and do not always do what is best for the ratepayers. I wonder when this less then dynamic duo run for office again if they will be supported by FP&L ? Will FP&L once again bombard voters with propaganda aimed at getting this duo re-elected ? Will Glenn Heran campaign for Turner and Fletcher like he did for Tracy Carroll ? Only time will tell .