At the Redding City Council’s regular meeting, Redding Electric Utility (REU) Director Nicholas Zettel presented on the proposed multi-year rate increases. He noted that the two public workshops held on February 26 had low attendance. Zettel recommended postponing the vote until the next council meeting on March 17 to allow for additional workshops at varied times and locations. Councilmember Tenessa Audette was the only member actively pushing back on the rate hikes.

In a brazen display of fiscal maneuvering, the City of Redding is poised to ram through an 18% cumulative electric rate increase over the next 3.5 years via the Redding Electric Utility (REU)—just months after voters decisively rejected a proposed 1% sales tax hike in the November 2025 election. Measure A, which aimed to boost the city's sales tax from 7.25% to 8.25% and generate an estimated $30 million annually, was shot down by a resounding 63-64% of voters.