(KNZA)--Kansas Corporation Commission staff has weighed in on Evergy- request for a rate increase in both of its’ Kansas service areas.

Evergy is proposing a nearly 10 percent increase for central customers, which includes those in local counties, and a nearly 2 percent increase for those in the Kansas City metro region.

In testimony filed with the KCC Tuesday, its staff's detailed financial audit of the company determined that an increase of 1.66 percent is all that can be justified for its Central customers and a 7.32% decrease is appropriate for its Kansas City metro customers.

Evergy says its still reviewing that testimony but insist the proposed increases are justified and remain well under inflation.

The KCC is still taking public comment on the proposed rate increases through September 29th.

A final order is expected to be issued in late December or early January.