Washington’s City Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss a plan to reduce electric rates and developing business plans for Warren Field Airport and the city’s docks during its meeting today.

That meeting begins at 5:30 p.m.

Previously, the council told city staff to evaluate the ramifications of reducing Washington Electric Utilities reducing its residential rate by 1 percent. A 1-percent reduction “represents a permanent $202,550 decrease in revenue,” according to a memorandum from Matt Rauschenbach, the city’s chief financial officer, to the mayor and council.

“A 1-percent rate decrease can be accomplished in the FY 2012/13 budget but will be challenging and difficult to sustain in future budgets given the considerations outlined above. The reduction of fund balance is also of concern especially given the volatility of net revenue that is weather dependent,” reads part of the memorandum.

Reducing electric rates, especially residential electric rates, is a goal of the current council and was a goal of previous councils.

In July 2011, the city reduced the electric rate for residential customers in the city limits by 5 percent.

The city’s electric fund is projected to lose $1.5 million during the current fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to the memorandum.

The council is expected to begin reviewing and discussing a 10-page business plan for the airport today.

“The Warren Field Airport should be viewed as a business, with profit/loss capabilities and its management should maintain operational expenditures as greatly as possible to live within its dedicated revenue streams. The airport should also serve as a gateway to the greater Washington community and therefore, all care should be made to have attractive, inviting, and usable facilities in order to attract greater usage of the facility and visitors to Washington. This duality of purpose can create confusion and frustration to proponents of both sides; however, both roles are vital to the long-term success of the Warren Field Airport” reads the conclusion of the business plan.

The council also is slated to discuss a nine-page business plan for the city’s docks. That plan’s conclusion is similar to the airport business plan.

“The Washington Waterfront Docks should be viewed as a business, with profit/loss capabilities and its management should maintain operational expenditures as greatly as possible to live within its dedicated revenue streams. The docks should also serve as a gateway to the greater Washington community and therefore, all care should be made to have attractive, inviting, and usable facilities in order to attract boaters to Washington. This duality of purpose can create confusion and frustration to proponents of both sides; however, both roles are vital to the long term success of the Washington Waterfront.

“Success is possible with the Washington Waterfront Docks and its success has a tremendous effect on the many businesses, people, and activities that are drawn to one of Washington’s greatest assets — the Pamlico River,” reads business plan’s conclusion.

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The council’s agenda, including details regarding the electric-rate discussion and business plans for the airport and docks may be obtained by visiting the city clerk’s office or the city’s website at www.washingtonnc.gov, then clicking on the “Government” heading, then clicking on the “City Council” heading on the menu to the right, then clicking on “Meeting Agendas” on the menu to the right, then clicking on the date for the appropriate agenda.