HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 072225-5.G - Texas Gas Service Rates Temporary SuspensionRESOLUTION NO. d TU2 Z6'5.6
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS SUSPENDING THE AUGUST
19, 2025 EFFECTIVE DATE OF TEXAS GAS SERVICE
COMPANY'S REQUESTED INCREASE TO PERMIT THE
CITY TIME TO STUDY THE REQUEST AND TO
ESTABLISH REASONABLE RATES; APPROVING
COOPERATION WITH OTHER CITIES IN THE TEXAS
GAS SERVICE COMPANY'S SERVICE AREA; HIRING
LEGAL AND CONSULTING SERVICES TO NEGOTIATE
WITH THE COMPANY AND DIRECT ANY NECESSARY
LITIGATION AND APPEALS; AUTHORIZING
INTERVENTION IN TEXAS GAS SERVICE'S STATEMENT
OF INTENT TO CHANGE GAS UTILITY RATES AT THE
RAILROAD COMMISSION; REQUIRING
REIMBURSEMENT OF CITIES' RATE CASE EXPENSES;
REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS;
INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND
ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on or about June 30, 2025, Texas Gas Service Company, a Division of ONE
Gas, Inc. ("TGS" or "Company"), pursuant to Gas Utility Regulatory Act § 104.102, filed with the
City of Georgetown, Texas ("City") a Statement of Intent to change gas rates in all municipalities
exercising original jurisdiction within the incorporated areas of the Central -Gulf, West North, and
Rio Grande Valley Service Areas effective August 19, 2025; and
WHEREAS, the City is a gas customer of TGS and a regulatory authority with exclusive
original jurisdiction over the rates and charges of TGS within the City; and
WHEREAS, it is reasonable for the City to cooperate with other similarly situated cities
in conducting a review of the Company's application and to hire and direct legal counsel and
consultants and to prepare a common response and to negotiate with the Company and direct any
necessary litigation; and
WHEREAS, the Gas Utility Regulatory Act § 104.107 grants local regulatory authorities
the right to suspend the effective date of proposed rate changes for ninety (90) days; and
WHEREAS, TGS has filed an application with the Railroad Commission, that could
become the docket into which appeals of city action on the TGS filing are consolidated; and
WHEREAS, the Gas Utility Regulatory Act § 103.022 provides that costs incurred by
cities in ratemaking activities are to be reimbursed by the regulated utility.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The meeting at which this resolution was approved was conducted in
compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
SECTION 2. That the August 19, 2025, effective date of the rate request submitted by
TGS on or about June 30, 2025, be suspended for the maximum period allowed by law to permit
adequate time to review the proposed changes and to establish reasonable rates.
SECTION 3. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this resolution are
hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and
expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim.
SECTION 4. That the City is authorized to cooperate with other cities in the TGS service
area to hire and direct legal counsel and consultants, negotiate with the Company, make
recommendations to the City regarding reasonable rates and to direct any necessary administrative
proceedings or court litigation associated with an appeal of a rate ordinance and the rate case filed
with the City or Railroad Commission.
SECTION 5. That, subject to the right to terminate employment at any time, the City of
Georgetown hereby authorizes the hiring of the law firm of Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle &
Townsend, P.C. and consultants to represent the City in all matters associated with the TGS
application to increase rates and appeals thereof.
SECTION 6. That intervention at the Railroad Commission in the docket that the
application is filed under is authorized.
SECTION 7. That the City's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by the
Company.
SECTION 8. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to TGS representatives Judy Hitchye,
Texas Gas Service Company, Barton Skyway IV, 1301 S. Mopac, Suite 400, Austin, Texas 78746
(.ludy.l-litchywonegas.com), and to Thomas Brocato at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend,
P.C., 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 1900, Austin, Texas 78701 (throcato(ii)ltaa%N.firm.com).
SECTION 9. All resolutions that conflict with the provisions of this resolution are hereby
repealed, and all other resolutions of the City not in conflict with the provisions of this resolution
shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 10. If any provision of this resolution, or application thereof, to any person or
circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or
application thereof, of this resolution, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or
application, and to this end the provisions of this resolution are hereby declared to be severable.
SECTION 11. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this resolution and the City
Secretary to attest. This resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect
immediately in accordance with the provisions of the City Charter of the City of Georgetown.
kes- 0; .ZZZ5 -5.c 2
RESOLVED THIS 22ND DAY OF JULY, 2025.
ATTEST: THF/CfrY OF GEORGETOWN:
Robyn l5ensmore, City Secretary J sV Schroeder,
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Skve Csson, City Attorney
RES r (D7z2-Z5-5,c,