It's something that no resident likes to hear; there's an increase coming to their power bill.

Just a small one, however; and one that, at the latest meeting of Swift Current city council, was not met with no cheers from the assembled council members.

As Mitch Minken, the city's general manager of infrastructure and operations explained, the increase was from the carbon tax and from the city's commitment to keeping its own rates aligned with SaskPower.

"Light & Power maintains its electric rate structure similar to SaskPower to ensure equity between our customers and other electric customers in Saskatchewan. This electric rate also ensures that the City of Swift Current remains in a competitive position when attracting and retaining industrial, commercial and residential customers."

As a result, all Light & Power residential customers will see an average increase of 0.355 percent, resulting in an average monthly increase of 23 cents for an apartment, 45 cents for an average home, and 64 cents for a large home per month.

Similarly, small and medium businesses will see an increase of 0.48 percent, as will large commercial customers.

The new rates are effective from January 1, 2021.