September 15, 2026
Starkville Utilities customers will see a modest increase in electric rates beginning in November as the utility moves forward with a long-term investment in the reliability, safety and performance of the electric system.
The approved adjustment will provide approximately $650,000 annually for improvements designed to strengthen the infrastructure customers depend on every day and ensure Starkville Utilities is prepared to meet the community’s growing electricity needs.
“This investment is about giving our customers the reliable service they expect today while making sure our system is ready for tomorrow,” said Edward Kemp, general manager of Starkville Utilities. “We will continue to focus on the infrastructure, technology and service improvements that make a difference to our customers.”
The adjustment represents the first electric rate increase for Starkville Utilities since 2016. The average residential customer’s monthly base rate will increase from $17.03 to $19.03 beginning in November, followed by $2 increases in 2027 and 2028. Non-residential rates will increase by an overall 2% each year.
Starkville Utilities plans to replace aging poles and electrical equipment, upgrade substations and expand smart grid technology that allows the utility to better monitor the system, identify problems and respond more efficiently when issues occur. The utility also will continue converting streetlights to energy-efficient LED fixtures and making the electrical upgrades needed to support new homes, businesses and development throughout Starkville.
Even with the adjustment, Starkville Utilities’ residential electric rates will remain among the lowest in the Golden Triangle.
The investment builds on improvements already underway to modernize the system and enhance the customer experience, including the SmartHub customer account system, electrical upgrades associated with the Highway 182 revitalization project and continued efforts to improve energy efficiency.
As Starkville continues to grow, maintaining a strong electric system will be increasingly important. The additional investment will give Starkville Utilities the resources to maintain existing infrastructure, make needed upgrades and expand system capacity as demand for electricity increases.
“Our responsibility is to make sure the system customers rely on is ready when they need it,” Kemp said. “That means maintaining what we have, replacing what is aging and investing in the technology and infrastructure that will keep Starkville moving forward.”
Additional information about the rate adjustment and its impact on customer bills is available at cityofstarkville.org.
Starkville Utilities is a public utility serving 14,000 residences, businesses and industries in Starkville, Mississippi as well as Mississippi State University. Its mission is to supply safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric and water service of superior quality and value that improves the lives of its customers.