Electric rates in the City of Marshall will increase by 7.5 percent starting next month, after the city council gave final approval to the Board of Public Works’ decision to end a downward adjustment enacted during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

By a 7-0 vote at Tuesday night’s meeting, the council agreed to the electric rate adjustments, which included the opportunity for customers to opt into time-of-use rates. Much of the council’s discussion on the ordinance pertained to the rate schedule. Mayor Vince Lutterbie says customers with questions can call Marshall Municipal Utilities to determine which of the rate systems works better for them.

The city council also approved the Board of Public Works budget for the next fiscal year, as well as the city’s $13,396,481 budget with no changes from the first reading. Council members also approved a resolution executing a task order to maintain professional services with Engineering Surveys and Services to develop improvements to the stormwater system around Boyd Street.

Also Tuesday night, the city council approved a street closure in front of Bud’s Cafe for the evening of Oct. 26 to allow Missouri Valley College to host a community street dance during Homecoming Weekend. The council also accepted a bid for the demolition of a structure at 801 S Apache, and updated their appointments to the subdivision and development advisory board. The council also gave first reading to an ordinance executing an agreement with G & M Electrical and Plumbing Services for a sewer relocation project.