by Gerri Peterson Village of Mullen residents got their first look at the new format for the utility bills last week.
With the new look came some questions - what’s with all the electric rates, what does the +$15 box mean and did the rates go up?
The new bill format now breaks the electric rates down into kilowatt-hours (KWH) from 1-100, 101-300, 301-600 and 601+. While it looks new, it’s not - the previous bill had all of those rates included, just not broken down. The more electricity you use as the billing period goes on, the cheaper the rate gets.
The water charges are also broke down more on the new bill format.
As for the box that says amount due after due date with +$15, that is the late fee you’ll pay after the 10th of the month.
And yes, the rates did go up. In the Oct. 23, 2025, issue of the Hooker County Tribune, the Village of Mullen Board of Trustees minutes were published from the Oct. 2, 2025, meeting, where the new rates were approved.
The electric rates went up (for the first time since 2013) on the November billing to $15.00 base rate for residential users, $17.50 base rate for commercial users and a 5% increase for the per KWH rates.
The January billing saw the water and sewer rate increases, which will both go up in two yearly increments.
The water rates are now $35.00 base rate for users inside Village limits, $47.00 base rate for users outside Village limits, and $1.30 per 1,000 gallons consumed. Next year they will go up to $42.00 base rate for users inside Village limits, $52.00 base rate for users outside Village limits, and $1.40 per 1,000 gallons consumed.
The sewer rates are now $32.25 for users inside Village limits and $53.85 for users outside Village limits. Next year they will be $36.00 for users inside Village limits and $60.00 for users outside Village limits.
If you’d like to receive your bill via email instead of a postcard in the mail, email clerk@villageofmullen.gov. You can also choose to pay your bill via ACH or online with a credit/debit card for a $3 flat fee. Call the Village o f Mullen office with any questions, 308-546-2625.