KUA approves $239 budget for fiscal ’22 — without rate increase

The Kissimmee Utility Authority board of directors on Wednesday approved a $239 million operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2022. The vote came after several Board discussions and a public hearing on the budget.

The approved budget is a 3.9 percent increase from the 2021 budget. The increase is related primarily to continued load growth and system infrastructure expansion. This also marks the utility’s 17th consecutive year without a base rate increase. The utility’s last base rate increase was in July of 2005.

Other highlights of the FY 2022 budget include:

  • $122 million for fuel and purchased power
  • $24 million for capital expenditures
  • $31 million for transfers to the City of Kissimmee and Osceola County
  • Total employee base of 287 with an associated payroll of $40 million
  • Expected customer growth of 1.9 percent over FY21 budget
  • Forecasted energy sales increase of 1.6 percent over FY21 budget

The new budget takes effect Oct. 1.