(KLZA)-- Omaha Public Power District leaders are sharing the utility- preliminary Corporate Operating Plan for 2025.

Chief Financial Officer Jeff Bishop presented the proposed $2.3 billion budget to directors during their committee meetings Tuesday. If directors approve the proposed plan at the December- board meeting, OPPD will implement a 6.3% average increase among all customer groups.

Residential customers would see an 8.4% average increase, representing an increase of around $9.44 on an average bill of $113. All proposed rate adjustments would be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2025.

The increase includes an average 4.9% general rate increase and a 0.4% increase from the Fuel and Purchased Power Adjustment (FPPA), which is a line item on bills. It also includes a 1% increase from the Rate Stabilization Account to help cover some of the unanticipated costs from this year- extreme weather.

To support reliability, the preliminary COP includes a $12 million increase to the tree-trimming budget, bringing the total investment to $29 million for 2025. OPPD wants to be able to cut back trees near electric lines more often. Currently, each circuit throughout our 5,000-square-mile service territory is trimmed every seven or eight years. The goal is to get that down to every five years or so.

The utility has a range of assistance programs for those who qualify. Some of these programs involve collaboration with other organizations. For more information, visit OPPD.com/EAP or call 402-536-4131.