PUT MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET
Tallahassee families are feeling the squeeze. And for far too many, the choices are tough. As your next City Commissioner, Tom knows that putting money back in the pockets of our neighbors may be the difference between choosing between buying a prescription drug and putting food on the table for their families.
Families should be able to do both in Tallahassee.
Affordability isn't just about one bill or one expense. It's about the cost of putting a roof over your head, feeding your family, keeping the lights on, filling your gas tank and making ends meet at the end of every month. Affordable housing, food costs, transportation and utility bills all matter when you're trying to build a good life in our city.
On day one, Tom will get to work on finding practical ways to put money back into Tallahassee families' pockets. That means examining where City Hall can reduce costs, eliminate unnecessary fees, improve efficiency, and make better use of the resources we already have.
Because Tallahassee owns its electric, gas, and water utilities, we have tools many communities simply don't have. City government should be looking for practical ways to lower the cost of living—not add to it.
The three priorities below are just one part of that larger affordability effort. They focus specifically on utility costs—an area where the City Commission has a direct opportunity to make a difference in what families pay every month.
UTILITY COSTS: 3 PRIORITIES TO PUT MONEY BACK IN YOUR POCKET
1. PUT OUR MUNICIPAL UTILITY TO WORK FOR YOU
Tallahassee's electric utility serves more than 128,000 customers. In FY2026, the Electric Fund is transferring $39.1 million to the City's General Fund.
I will propose a public review of that transfer and ask:
- Can we reduce the transfer without compromising reliable service, reserves or infrastructure?
- Can some utility value be returned directly to customers?
- Could that take the form of lower rates, customer credits or another direct benefit?
The people who own the utility (the people of Tallahassee!) should share in its benefits.
2. MAKE SURE FAMILIES AREN'T PAYING MORE THAN THEY HAVE TO
Tallahassee already offers multiple residential electric pricing plans. The standard rate is currently 13.279¢/kWh, while the optional Nights & Weekends plan ranges from 7.413¢/kWh off-peak to 27.664¢/kWh during peak hours.
I will propose making it easier for customers to determine which plan actually costs them the least.
- Analyze a customer's usage history.
- Identify potential savings.
- Make switching plans simple.
- Expand programs that permanently reduce energy and water bills through efficiency and conservation.
If the City can help a family lower its monthly bill, that's money that stays with that family.
3. STOP FEES FROM TURNING A BAD MONTH INTO A FINANCIAL CRISIS
A temporary financial setback shouldn't snowball into more debt.
Today, a residential electric customer can face a $28.50 disconnection fee, plus a $30 after-hours fee. Residential electric deposits can be $160, in addition to service charges.
I will propose a review of utility fees and policies with an emphasis on:
- Reducing unnecessary fees.
- Expanding payment arrangements before disconnection.
- Rewarding customers who establish a good payment history.
- Providing targeted relief for families experiencing documented hardship.
THE BOTTOM LINE
- Lower bills.
- Fewer unnecessary fees.
- More money left over at the end of the month.
The standard I believe we should apply to every major city affordability decision is: Does this put money back in the pockets of Tallahassee families - or take more out?