Athens electric ratepayers may see a $2.04 cent increase in their power bills around April 1 if the Athens City Council approves a proposed rate increase Monday.

Following a rate study, Athens Utilities Electric Department Manager Blair Davis briefed the council in December 2017 on the need for a 1.5 percent rate increase for residential ratepayers. If approved, the average residential ratepayer — who uses an average of 1,333 kilowatt hours per month — will see a $2.04 increase per month on their power bill, said City Clerk Annette Barnes.

The proposed increase would cover all users — residential, commercial and industrial — but generally the more electricity used the lower the overall rate, she said.

The rate increase is needed to improve infrastructure — distribution lines and substations — as the electric system grows, Barnes said.

The last increase was for 1 percent nine years ago, Mayor Ronnie Marks said. The number of Athens Utilities customers has increased from 40,000 to 46,000 customers since then.

If the council approves the rate hike, the Tennessee Valley Authority would also have to endorse the increase. That typically takes about 90 days, so ratepayers could look for an increase around April 1, Barnes said.

Monday’s council meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall at 200 W. Hobbs St. A work session will precede the meeting at 3:30 p.m., though the council’s agenda for the meeting does not state the purpose of the work session. Both meetings are open to the public.

The following items were also listed on the council’s agenda as of Friday afternoon:

Public hearings

• Hearing on whether to declare at structure at 703 Westview St. unsafe and a public nuisance;

• Resolution declaring structure at 703 Westview St. is unsafe and a public nuisance and ordering abatement;

• Hearing on the sale of alcohol by Yasmeen Inc., doing business as Mini Mart;

• Resolution on proposed sale of alcohol by Spirt of Athens, doing business as Athens Main Street.

Regular calendar

• Resolution approving a retail off-premises beer and wine license to Jay Raghu Inc., doing business as Athens Food Mart;

• Resolution setting a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, on a request from Nathan and Stephanie Metzger to rezone land at 23154 Nick Davis Road from an R-1-1 Single-Family Low-Density Residential District to an EST Estate Residential and Agricultural District;

• Resolution declaring a public nuisance at Maxie Allen Street and ordering its abatement;

• Ordinance extending a nonexclusive franchise to Charter Communications for cable television system. (This is an annual contract);

• Ordinance renewing a nonexclusive franchise to Knology Inc. for cable television system. (This is an annual contract);

• Resolution to rename Dexter Street as Golden Eagle Drive;

• Ordinance dedicating and accepting certain real property as a public way along and for the purpose of widening Forrest Street;

• Resolution authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with Morell Engineering for the preliminary engineering services for sidewalks west of Sussex Drive to U.S. 31 and along Pryor Street from Hobbs to the northern border of the new Athens High School on U.S. 31;

• Resolution authorize the mayor’s office to apply for an assistance to firefighters grant;

• Resolution concerning the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District Number 1; and

• Resolution to approve the purchase and installation of the police security camera system.