[Northbrookrick]

At this time where everything is going up in price is it really necessary to raise those prices by that much?? Give us a break. Our social security certainly isn't increasing very much.

[Jerseybob]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Plus utilities are regulated regarding their fees

They are not regulated.

DIRECT FROM THE SECO WEBSITE:

About Us – SECO Energy

"One of the most important distinctions between other types of utilities and SECO is that we are member owned."

"Our members have a voice in the co-op’s decision-making process. They elect a nine-member Board of Trustees, who meet monthly to monitor the financial status of the Cooperative and make policy decisions in the best interest of the membership."

"MISSION
As a not-for-profit cooperative, SECO Energy provides reliable and innovative energy services to our members and communities".

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE VILLAGES - NEWS 6/15/2024
TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, HERE IS THE LINK :

SECO board holds emergency meeting after pole rental uproar in The Villages - **************.com

SECO held a closed-door meeting Tuesday with elected supervisors from The Villages at the cooperative’s headquarters in Sumterville to discuss the huge increases.

****** ""As a result of pressure from officials in The Villages, SECO trustees met on Thursday and announced they had agreed to “a two-year phased approach to incorporate the pole rental rate increase.”
This means 50 percent of the increase will take place Oct. 1 and the second half of the increase on Oct. 1, 2025."

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Jerseybob

They are not regulated.

DIRECT FROM THE SECO WEBSITE:

About Us – SECO Energy

"One of the most important distinctions between other types of utilities and SECO is that we are member owned."

"Our members have a voice in the co-op’s decision-making process. They elect a nine-member Board of Trustees, who meet monthly to monitor the financial status of the Cooperative and make policy decisions in the best interest of the membership."

"MISSION
As a not-for-profit cooperative, SECO Energy provides reliable and innovative energy services to our members and communities".

THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE VILLAGES - NEWS 6/15/2024
TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE, HERE IS THE LINK :

SECO board holds emergency meeting after pole rental uproar in The Villages - **************.com

SECO held a closed-door meeting Tuesday with elected supervisors from The Villages at the cooperative’s headquarters in Sumterville to discuss the huge increases.

****** ""As a result of pressure from officials in The Villages, SECO trustees met on Thursday and announced they had agreed to “a two-year phased approach to incorporate the pole rental rate increase.”
This means 50 percent of the increase will take place Oct. 1 and the second half of the increase on Oct. 1, 2025."

Thanks. I didn't realize Co-ops have different rules.

[HJBeck]

How many electric utility poles do you see in TV? Not many! Pole attach.ent fees are only a couple of $ per year. If you see a couple of $ per year increase in your rates I would be very surprised. Don't sweat about it.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by HJBeck

How many electric utility poles do you see in TV? Not many! Pole attach.ent fees are only a couple of $ per year. If you see a couple of $ per year increase in your rates I would be very surprised. Don't sweat about it.

Please read some of the provided links.

The increase is not for utility poles. The increase is not for rent of space on the poles. The increase is not for your lamp post in your shrub bed.

The increase is for the CDD to rent the aluminum street-light poles.

The increase will be in the neighborhood of 600% (something like $63K/year -> $420K/year). Looking at one set of numbers provided in the linked articles, the increase will amount to about 10% of your yearly maintenance fee (depends on which CDD you are in). Either SECO lowers the rates, the CDD cuts something from the budget, or I will see my maintenance fee increase by about $60.

I like the idea of removing the poles and not having as much street lighting to save money and reduce light pollution. However, the County or State might require the lighting and I just read an article about a neighborhood arguing for more lights so it looks like removal is not an option.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Please read some of the provided links.

The increase is not for utility poles. The increase is not for rent of space on the poles. The increase is not for your lamp post in your shrub bed.

The increase is for the CDD to rent the aluminum street-light poles.

The increase will be in the neighborhood of 600% (something like $63K/year -> $420K/year). Looking at one set of numbers provided in the linked articles, the increase will amount to about 10% of your yearly maintenance fee (depends on which CDD you are in). Either SECO lowers the rates, the CDD cuts something from the budget, or I will see my maintenance fee increase by about $60.

I like the idea of removing the poles and not having as much street lighting to save money and reduce light pollution. However, the County or State might require the lighting and I just read an article about a neighborhood arguing for more lights so it looks like removal is not an option.

Nice summary - thanks!

Adding it appears the cost previously spread across the entire membership base.

They don't say who will see a cost reduction as a result.

SECO Energy Announces Increase in Lighting Rates – SECO Energy


SECO Energy is a not-for-profit entity. Energy rates, lighting service costs, and additional services are structured not to turn a profit but to reflect the costs of providing power and other related services.

We continually review rates through cost-of-service studies which are comprehensive evaluations of the costs associated with providing service to different customer groups, to ensure fairness and equity among ratepayers and that the cost of additional services is not subsidized by the entire membership base.

The full rate tariff is available online at SECOEnergy.com.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Thanks. I didn't realize Co-ops have different rules.

Neither did I. . . interestingly, I learn something every day from the "discussions" on here, even if I am wrong.

SECO CO-op is an electrical distribution Co-op, which owns an electrical generation/transmission Co-op. . . called Seminole Electric Cooperative.

In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) by executive order to bring electricity to rural communities through the formation of electric cooperatives. In 1937, the REA drafted the Electric Cooperative Corporation Act, a law permitting states to create and operate not-for-profit, member-owned distribution electric cooperatives. The same year, Florida’s first distribution electric cooperatives were formed.

History – Seminole Electric Cooperative

The FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION regulates the non cooperative electrical distribution and transmission companies. . .
Florida PSC

The FPSC regulates the following electric distribution companies:
Florida Power & Light
Duke Energy
Tampa Electric
Florida Public Utilities

The funny part is that SECO and seminole co-ops were created for rural FL, and it won't change its rural status unless someone buys out the co-operatives. The key difference is the organization under those regulations and are a member owned non profit organization. Big advantage over Duke Energy. .

HOWEVER, non profit does not non profit literally, as in the binary opposite = MONEY LOSING. . . even the cooperative needs to recover its costs, therefore if costs increases, rates will increase. .

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Dantes

Only the rich elites can that so easily

[Maker]

Just remember "Not for Profit" does not mean they operate in the most cost efficient manner possible. Wasteful or stupid spending still gets passed to the customers. People still get paid, and excess cash is used for buying things and spending sprees.

The NFL is "Not for Profit"

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Maker

Just remember "Not for Profit" does not mean they operate in the most cost efficient manner possible. Wasteful or stupid spending still gets passed to the customers. People still get paid, and excess cash is used for buying things and spending sprees.

The NFL is "Not for Profit"

True, and the pay back of certain investments is based upon someone's financial model and assumptions about the future behavior of humans, which is always wrong, but some are wronger than others.

However, if the rates (tariffs in legal terms) are lower than DUKE and the other regulated utilities, we the members and customers are ahead of the game. . . the added advantage is that the generation plants are also co-op owned and are non profit. . .

[OhioBuckeye]

It may not but as soon as they get 80 to 90% on electric, you’ll be trapped then you see everything that operates off of electric will be expensive, then there won’t be nothing we can do. Also what will you do when we have power failure’s & out for several days? Then what, the power companies will lower your electric bill. It’s a trap! You know they’re trying to get America on electric stoves info natural gas stoves. Think about it, why are they trying to get everything on electric. What do you think EV chargers are ran on electric?

[twoplanekid]

I received this yesterday from Village district staff about the SECO rate increase as viewed by district staff.

"Good Afternoon,

With all of the recent discussions regarding the SECO Rate Increase, I asked District Staff to compile a one-page “fact sheet” to summarize the issue, actions taken and results from our engagement with the SECO Board (attached). We will include this document for residents to read on the “Get the Facts” section of our website. The link to Get the Facts is on the left-hand side of our homepage.

This document should serve as a valuable tool when discussing/explaining this topic with your constituents.

Thank you,

Kenny"

[Jim 9922]

[QUOTE=Jerseybob;2341817][B]

DIRECT FROM THE SECO WEBSITE:

"Our members have a voice in the co-op’s decision-making process. They elect a nine-member Board of Trustees, who meet monthly to monitor the financial status of the Cooperative and make policy decisions in the best interest of the membership."


It is interesting that consideration of such a big "Policy Decision" was not made public prior the reelection of several of the "trustees" at the annual meeting this past late winter. Given its magnitude, I would have thought the potential of the light pole rate increases has been on the trustee's agendas for discussion for many months prior to the announcement in June. If the pending rate increase had been leaked, just think how controversial the reelection might have been. Apparently, all was not honey and roses behind the scenes as it seemed to be in the pre-election benign propaganda mailed to all of us members.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by twoplanekid

I received this yesterday from Village district staff about the SECO rate increase as viewed by district staff.

"Good Afternoon,

With all of the recent discussions regarding the SECO Rate Increase, I asked District Staff to compile a one-page “fact sheet” to summarize the issue, actions taken and results from our engagement with the SECO Board (attached). We will include this document for residents to read on the “Get the Facts” section of our website. The link to Get the Facts is on the left-hand side of our homepage.

This document should serve as a valuable tool when discussing/explaining this topic with your constituents.

Thank you,

Kenny"

A little vague on the reason prices are going up so drastically.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

A little vague on the reason prices are going up so drastically.

Very poorly communicated.

If I understand correctly, street lighting was previously funded by the general budget.

The change "reallocates" those costs to the areas that have street lighting.

It seems this should result in a corresponding rate decrease for all?