Electricity bill prices are expected to go up for Mount Dora residents, officials say

MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Mount Dora residents will see higher prices reflected on their next electricity bill.

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The city said skyrocketing natural gas prices are responsible for a $38 jump, as natural gas is used to produce electricity.

People who live in Mount Dora said this price increase makes a big difference in their lives, especially with inflation.

Mount Dora resident Robert Harris said staying cool in the heat is not easy. He tries to limit his air conditioning, but he said he still paid around $265 for electricity last month.

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And officials expect that the next bill will be even higher.

Mount Dora Electric Utility Director Wayne Zimmerman said the price of natural gas is increasing nationwide with more of a demand for natural gas from the United States, causing the cost of producing electricity to rise.

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Mount Dora is in a $900,000 hole and is raising rates by roughly 28% for the average home. That translates to around $38 more for someone who uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

Harris is on a fixed income and said many people will have to cut out any luxury expenses. He said with the cost of everything going up, he does not know how other families will make it work.

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“If my mom and dad or someone (were) alive, they couldn’t afford it,” Harris said.

The city said other utilities in Florida are in the same situation and will be raising rates if they haven’t already.

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