[0:00] [Music] [0:05] To make utility costs more equitable and [0:08] to generate more revenue for public [0:10] improvements, the city of Edina is [0:13] changing its utility franchise fee [0:15] structure. Right now, all residential [0:18] customers pay a flat fee of $355 [0:22] per month for both gas and electricity. [0:25] But starting on January 1st, that fee [0:28] will change to 4% of your monthly [0:31] utility bill. The shift to a [0:33] percentage-based fee means customers [0:35] will pay in proportion to how much [0:38] energy they use, which is a more [0:40] equitable approach. [0:41] Yeah, with the new 4% fee, residents [0:43] really have the ability to impact those [0:45] fees by doing some small changes in [0:47] their homes. They can do LED lighting or [0:50] take advantage of more efficient systems [0:52] and HVAC systems when they have major [0:54] equipment replacements at their home. [0:56] That gives the residents those [0:57] opportunities to reduce the fees. And [0:59] that's what council really liked about [1:01] this change from a flat rate to a [1:03] percentage-based fee. Revenue from these [1:05] fees will help fund important community [1:08] projects, including sustainability [1:10] initiatives, safer streets for [1:12] pedestrians and cyclists, street [1:15] lighting, and road reconstruction. [1:18] Earlier this year, the city council [1:20] directed staff to raise franchise fees [1:23] rather than taxes to fund an additional [1:26] $1 million per year for street [1:28] reconstruction. destruction.