STATESVILLE, N.C. — Statesville residents, outraged over their utility bills, may see some relief soon. City leaders voted to reduce rates but some wonder if it will be enough to help people keep their lights on.
When Wiley Kyle's and his girlfriend opened their latest Statesville utilities bill, he saw it was another one his family would struggle to pay.
"It's really hard, there are days when I cry," girlfriend Aisha Jilal said.
A couple of streets over, Meghan Driscoll said she's balked at her bill.
She said her highest was $557.
"It took me about a month and a half to pay that off," she said.
Frustrated, Kyles started a Facebook group called Statesville Citizens United to unite other residents who started speaking out at City Hall hoping to persuade council members.
"I want these people to know a lot of these charges are mandated by other groups and we don't determine them," Councilman Roy West said.
Channel 9 looked into the city's rate structure and learned Statesville purchases power from a co-op. For example, the city's rate per kilowatt is higher and its rates change as usage rises compared to Duke Energy
Thanks to a change in co-op financing, the council voted Monday night to reduce residential rates by 3 percent and cut the reconnection fee from $50 to $25.
"We are not trying to pile up money if we see an opportunity to give it back we're going to give it back," West said.
"I'm happy that things are changing even though it's slow," Driscoll said.
But some worry 3 percent isn't enough to help families stuck in the red.
"I'll have to see it to believe it," Jilal said.
Since Channel 9 started looking into this issue, some people have reported their bills have gone down.
Pending the final approval of the new refinancing plan, the new rates begin in August.
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