Why Should Delaware Care?
Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those minutes that are happening this week.
Here is a look at some of the most important or interesting public meetings happening around the state this week.
- Rehoboth Beach elections are Saturday
- PSC to vote on interim Delmarva rate
Rehoboth Beach elections are Saturday
After an acrimonious year for city hall in Rehoboth Beach, voters will head to the polls Saturday for the annual municipal election.
Commissioner Suzanne Goode, who has waged a solo campaign against the city’s hiring of Manager Taylour Tedder, is running to succeed Mayor Stan Mills, who is stepping down after nearly six years at the helm.
Goode is running against her colleague, Commissioners Susan Stewart and Criag Thier, along with resident Will Raak.
Meanwhile, her husband, Jeffery Goode, is running to oust one of two incumbents, Patrick Gossett and Mark Saunders, who are looking to retain their seats on city council.
Polls will be open at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, located at 229 Rehoboth Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. To be eligible to vote, residents must be at least 18, a resident or freeholder (for at least 30 days) or 10-year leaseholder (for at least six months), and registered in the city’s Book of Registered Voters.
PSC to vote on interim Delmarva rate
The Public Service Commission, the regulatory body that hears utility requests, is scheduled to vote on higher interim rates for Delmarva Power electric customers.
Delmarva Power had filed a request for a rate increase with state energy regulators that would raise an average homeowner’s utility bill by 4%.
It is the third rate hike request filed by Delaware’s largest energy provider in five years, drawing criticism from the state’s Public Advocates and legislative leaders. The new request also seeks to raise the maximum profit the regulated utility could earn by about $9.4 million.
But after political pressure, the utility voluntarily lowered the request in June to $28.6 million, reducing the average rate hike to $3.39 per month.
The Public Service Commission will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Cannon Building, located at 861 Silver Lake Blvd. in Dover. For more info and a link for remote viewing, click here.
