A 44% temporary natural gas rate increase by the Clinton Newberry Natural Gas Authority is not an agendaed item for this Monday night's Clinton City Council meeting. It's important because -- according to a city ordinance - agendaed items can be publicly discussed and presented to the Council during a public comments time (agenda item five).
Clinton City Council will hold its regular monthly meeting at 6 pm Monday in the PS Bailey City Council Chambers of the MS Bailey Municipal Center, 211 North Broad St., Clinton. The meeting is open to the public - questions & answers are not allowed during public comments time - and the meeting is live-streamed on the City's YouTube channel.
CNNGA is jointly owned and managed by the Cities of Clinton and Newberry and serves about 8,000 customers. Its board met Thursday evening in Newberry.
What the council will discuss are 2 sets of minutes, proclamations: March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, March as National Women's History Month, April as Fair Housing Month; the Capacity in City of Clinton Schools; the Upstate Alliance & Economic Development; Police Officer Jessica Fowler as 2026 Employee of the Year; annexation and zoning of 2 properities on the southwest side of Jacobs Hwy; zoning of an acre between Derby Lane & South Broad Street; subdivision regulations amendment related to streets; a closed, executive session to receive legal advice about an intergovernmental agreement; open session - possible action from executive session; and Reports: City Manager, Finance Director, Council Members & Mayor.
The Clinton City Council's regular monthly meetings are set for the 1st Monday of each month.
(A CNNGA statement:
The Clinton-Newberry Natural Gas Authority issued this statement:
“We know many customers were surprised and frustrated by higher-than-normal natural gas bills, and we understand the financial strain this may have caused. We do not take that lightly.
“During the late-January winter storms, two things happened at the same time: customers used more natural gas to stay warm, and the wholesale price of natural gas spiked due to extreme weather-related supply and demand pressure. This was an extreme, record-setting natural gas market event, and it affected costs during that period.
“CNNGA is offering customer assistance options, including payment flexibility that allows eligible customers to spread the impact of higher bills over six months, and we are promoting levelized billing for eligible customers who want more predictable monthly bills.
“We are also making major improvements to how we communicate with customers. If market conditions change rapidly again, customers will receive earlier alerts and clearer updates so there are fewer surprises. For FAQs and details on payment options and levelized billing, please review the information posted on our website.
“Customers who need immediate assistance may contact:
Clinton: 864-833-1862
Newberry: 803-276-1550
“Thank you for your patience and for allowing us to serve your community.”)
