A Medicine Hat senior hopes his experience will help others avoid the same sort of utility bill spike he did this month. (CHAT News File Photo)

By Chris Brown

Hatter hopes others can learn from his utility bill experience, with the city’s help

Aug 16, 2023 | 2:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A Medicine Hat senior’s expired fixed utility rate contract caused his bill to jump nearly $300 in one month.

Jim Horsman wants his experience to be a cautionary tale for others in the city.

“I think they should be in touch with their elected representatives at the city level, the aldermen obviously,” he says. “And also the employees of the city should be available to explain carefully the options that are available and the differences and how they reflect the utility bills.”

Horsman says a small item on his bill noted his contract was expiring and he’d move to the default regulated rate option. He chose not to take action at the time.

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He says he used his air conditioner a lot more during the hot weather and he expected there to be an increase to his bill. But coming off the fixed rate made it higher than he anticipated, roughly $850 in total he says.

He says the fact the utility is owned by the City of Medicine Hat and therefore provides money to the community is something residents should be grateful for. On the flip side, he says that since it is city-owned, the city could do a better job of explaining the billing system to residents.

“It concerns me that others on fixed incomes, particularly seniors, are having problems to understand the issues and understand the options that are available in terms of dealing with our utility bills here.”

Horsman says after research and advice from his family he is now back on the fixed-rate option.