Beginning April 1, Jackson County REMC will implement a $5 per month increase to the Basic Service Charge across all account types. This adjustment helps ensure that we can continue to provide safe and reliable electric service to every home, business, and farm we serve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This is the greatest part of our rate change, as it allows us to keep the rate change balanced. For information regarding the kWh change, refer to our website.
WHAT IS THE BASIC SERVICE CHARGE?
The Basic Service Charge is a fixed monthly amount that every member pays, regardless of the amount of electricity used. This charge covers the essential costs required to bring power to your location, including:
• Line construction and maintenance
• Poles, transformers, meters, and service equipment
• System upgrades and technology that improve reliability
• Tree trimming and right-of-way maintenance
• Billing, metering, and administrative services
• 24/7 outage response and emergency restoration
These are costs that exist even before a single kilowatt-hour is used. The Basic Service Charge allows us to maintain a strong and dependable electric system for all members, ensuring that power is available whenever you need it.
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES
Electric cooperatives were founded in the 1930s when privately owned utilities refused to bring electricity to rural areas because it was not profitable. Neighbors joined together, formed cooperatives, borrowed money at cost, and built the lines themselves.
That same cooperative spirit continues today. As a not-for-profit, Jackson County REMC does not answer to shareholders. We answer to you, our members. Every dollar collected goes directly toward operating and maintaining the system that serves our communities.
Increasing the Basic Service Charge ensures fairness by:
• Spreading fixed system costs across all members who benefit from having the service available
• Keeping energy (per kWh) rates as stable as possible
• Allowing us to maintain reliability for every member, from the smallest home to the largest facility
Industry experts recommend this approach, which is common among cooperatives nationwide, because it reflects the actual cost of providing electric service.
SAVE WITH PAPERLESS BILLING
We understand that any increase can be difficult, and we want to help where we can. Members who use paperless billing will receive a $2 bill credit each month.
• If you sign up for paperless billing, your increase will effectively be only $3 per month.
• If you are already enrolled in paperless billing, you will automatically receive this credit with no action needed.
Paperless billing also helps reduce printing and mailing expenses, saving your cooperative money and supporting environmental stewardship.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU
If you would like to learn more about our rates, cost structure, or how we operate, please visit JacksonREMC.com.
If you ever have questions about your bill or need help managing your account, our team is always here to assist.
Thank you for being a valued member of Jackson County REMC. Working together, we can continue to build a reliable, sustainable energy future for our communities.
