Cost of Electricity to Rise in Bella Vista

A price hike in the form of a franchise fee through Carroll Electric was approved at Monday nights city council meeting in Bella Vista. The Bella Vista City Council unanimously approved the 4.25% franchise fee for Carroll Electric, and the decision will start paying off for the city by October. After taking comments from the public on the topic, the Bella Vista City Council approved the ordinance establishing a 4.25% franchise fee for Carroll Electric Cooperative Corporation, allowing the city a steady and fast stream of income. While the typical household will only pay a few more dollars a month on their electric bill, the city will bring in an estimated $600,000 a year. Still, some residents say this isnt the way to go. One man voiced his opposition during the city council meeting saying the franchise fee wont impact enough of the people who benefit from city services, and that the city should look at using property and sales taxes instead. But Mayor Frank Anderson says the council will likely look to those taxes as a source of income in the near future, as well. Anderson says it takes about $7-million just to pay for the citys fire, police, waste management and street services, and multiple sources of income are being considered to pay the tab. The city council plans to establish franchise fees for other utilities, like telephone and cable, as soon as possible.