12/10/2025
📢 Hermiston City Council Meeting – Monday, December 8th 📢
🔹 What’s on the Agenda?
⚡ Spotlight: Lower Franchise Fees for All UEC Customers
The City is renewing its long-standing franchise agreement with Umatilla Electric Cooperative (UEC). The terms remain largely the same — with one major improvement for residents and businesses:
🔻Franchise Fees + Occupancy Taxes will drop from 7% to 4%.
Here’s why this reduction is possible and why it benefits everyone:
• Electricity demand has grown significantly in Hermiston due to local data centers. This added demand helps ensure that even with a lower 4% fee, the City will remain in strong financial health and still maintain the revenue needed for essential services.
• A typical Hermiston household with a $150 monthly electric bill will now save $4.50 per month, or $54 per year.
• The City is also recommending eliminating the 2022 large power purchaser incentive program. By removing this program and lowering the base rate for all customers, Hermiston creates a fair, modern structure that:
✔ lowers costs for residents and small businesses
✔ keeps key industries competitive
✔ maintains strong revenue for City services
This is a win-win: lower bills for the community while keeping Hermiston on stable financial footing for streets, parks, public safety, and long-term planning.
🌾 Airport Agricultural Lease
Council will consider a ground lease for agricultural use at Hermiston Municipal Airport — promoting productive land use and supporting local growers.
🖥️ Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for IT Services
Review of an IGA between the City of Hermiston and the Umatilla Hospital District for shared information technology services.
📊 Fiscal Transparency
Presentation of the November 2025 Monthly Financial Report, including revenue trends, expenditures, and budget-to-actual updates.
🧩 Consent Agenda Highlights
• Committee appointment approvals (Parks & Recreation & Recreation Projects Fund Advisory)
• Routine operational items
• Prior meeting minutes
🚧 Also on the docket:
Citizen input, committee/liaison reports, and Mayor/Council updates.
📍 Council Chambers – 180 NE 2nd St
🕖 Regular Meeting: 7:00 PM
🎥 Watch live: https://www.youtube.com/live/xfdFzpkqKAA?si=uSw-p1SvXrSjrkxz
✉️ Public comment: Email [email protected] with your full name & place of residence to be included in the record.