Household electric bills vary widely from one season to another as witnessed by current winter month's bills. This variance often makes it difficult to follow a budget. West Central Electric members usually receive their highest electric bills in the winter and summer while the spring and fall usually bring the lowest bills of the year.

Residential consumers are reminded that they can average their bills out during the year which reduces the highs and lows. This could be especially helpful to those on fixed incomes. The "Budget Billing Plan" is available to permanent residential consumers that have not had more than one late payment or one check returned for insufficient funds in the previous 12 months.

The electric bill under the "Budget Billing Plan" would be an average of the past twelve months actual billing plus an additional 10-20 percent depending on when the member signs up for budget billing.

The plan allows the consumer to pay the same amount each month throughout the year, eliminating high bills during times of extra use in the summer or winter. If there is a shortfall in the account, the member makes up the difference during the May billing. This billing plan can be terminated at any time by either the customer or Cooperative by giving reasonable notice to the other party.

The plan will be automatically terminated upon execution of a delayed payment agreement or upon discontinuance of service for any reason. If this plan is terminated for any reason other than execution of a delayed payment agreement, any accumulated balance of the member's account which is attributable to budget billing plan must be settled within 30 days.

To obtain more information about the West Central Electric's Budget Billing Plan, call the office at either 605-669-2472 or 800-242-9232