COLUMBIA (WACH) -- Columbia City Council gave the initial green light Tuesday to an ordinance that would raise residents’ power bills to help fund the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority.
The rate hike would come from an increase to SCE&G’s franchise fee.
According to officials, CMRTA needs a minimum of $5.3 million a year to keep from rolling into trouble.
By raising SCE&G’s franchise fee by 2 percent, the city can cover half of the system’s funding needs.
To show his opposition for the power bill hike, Columbia resident Forrest Hairston printed a yard sign Wednesday that singled out Councilwoman Belinda Gergel, who voted in favor of the ordinance.
Hairston says his monthly power bill is $480 and he can't afford to pay any more for utilities.
If the ordinance passes, a power bill of $100 would go up by an average of $5 each month.
Hairston adds that the thought of paying higher rates pushed him to make his opinion public.
“I don't think that wealthy politicians feel the pain like normal people do,” says Hairston. “Mrs. Gergel seems to be insulated from the criticism of the community, and they are going to do it whether people what them to do it or not.”
WACH Fox News contacted Councilwoman Belinda Gergel via email Wednesday, but has not received a response.
Members of Richland County Council also met Tuesday night. They discussed the issue of funding for CMRTA in closed session and took no action.
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