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Resolution 2005-27 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-27(R) A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF WYLIE, TEXAS SUSPENDING THE PROPOSAL BY ATMOS ENERGY, MID-TEX DIVISION TO IMPLEMENT INTERIM GRIP RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR GAS UTILITY INVESTMENT IN 2004; AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION WITH OTHER CITIES SERVED BY ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIVISION, IN A REVIEW AND INQUIRY INTO THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE FILING AND THE BASIS AND REASONABLENESS OF THE PROPOSED RATE ADJUSTMENTS; AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND COURT PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING THE PROPOSED GRIP RATE ADJUSTMENTS; DESIGNATING A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY TO SERVE ON A STEERING COMMITTEE; RATIFYING THE SELECTION OF THE LAW FIRM LLOYD GOSSELINK TO REPRESENT THE CITY; REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE LEGAL AND CONSULTANT EXPENSES; AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL COUNSEL. WHEREAS, Wylie, Texas ("City") is a gas utility customer of Atmos Energy, Mid-Tex Division, ("Atmos Mid-Tex" or "the Company") and a regulatory authority with an interest in the rates and charges of Atmos Mid- Tex; and WHEREAS, Atmos Mid- Tex made filings with the City and the Railroad Commission of Texas ("Railroad Commission") in September 2005, proposing to implement interim rate adjustments ("GRIP Rate Increases") pursuant to Texas Utilities Code S 104.301 on all customers served by Atmos Mid-Tex; and WHEREAS, Atmos Energy Corporation has reported a twenty percent increase in net income for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, and projects further increases in profits from its utility operations in 2005; and WHEREAS, Atmos Energy Corporation has recently experienced system-wide cost reductions due to the doubling of its nationwide customer base with the acquisition of TXU Gas, and has reported to its investors that it has experienced profits in its Texas service; and WHEREAS, the sufficiency of the filing by Atmos Mid-Tex and its compliance with statutory mandates is in question and needs to be determined; and WHEREAS, ratepayers of Atmos Mid- Tex, including the City and its residents, will be adversely impacted by the proposed GRIP Rate Increases; and WHEREAS, the City and its residents could benefit from coordination with other cities served by Atmos Mid- Tex ("Cities") in a review of the reasonableness of the proposed GRIP Rate Increases and joint participation in any proceedings at the Railroad Commission related to the proposed GRIP Rate Increases; and WHEREAS, the reasonable costs associated with the participation of Cities in this rate proceeding are reimbursable from Atmos Mid- Tex; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Wylie, Texas, that: 1. The November 19, 2005, effective date of the GRIP Rate Increases proposed by Atmos Mid- Tex is hereby suspended for the maximum period allowed by law to permit adequate time to Resolution No. 2005-27(R) A TMOS GRIP investigate the sufficiency of the GRIP rate increase filing, review the proposed increases, analyze all necessary information, and take appropriate action related to the proposed increases. 2. The City is authorized to cooperate with other Cities to create and participate in a Steering Committee to hire and direct legal counsel and consultants, to negotiate with the Company, to make recommendations to the City regarding the proposed GRIP Rate Increases, and to direct any administrative proceedings or litigation associated with the proposed GRIP Rate Increases. 3. The City ratifies the selection of the law firm of Lloyd Gosselink, in Austin, Texas, to serve as legal counsel. 4. The City is authorized to intervene in any administrative proceedings or litigation associated with the proposed GRIP Rate Increases. 5. The City hereby designates Mark B. Roath, City Manager as the City's representative to a Cities' Steering Committee that shall direct the efforts of counsel and consultants. 6. Atmos Mid-Tex shall promptly reimburse the City's reasonable costs associated with the City's activities related to the proposed GRIP Rate Increases. 7. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Atmos Mid-Tex, care of Richard T. Reis, at Atmos Energy Corporation, 5420 LBJ Freeway, Suite 1800, Dallas, Texas 75240, and to Geoffrey Gay, legal counsel to the coalition of cities, at Lloyd Gosselink, 111 Congress Avenue, Suite 1800, Austin, Texas 78701. DULY PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Wylie, Texas on this the 25th day of October, 2005. "Jo~,Eyi~ f \\' 0 F W/II " ~I " " A\. '0...... J- ", ~ r ~ 'laJ~3 ..~~ <' ~ .:: "-J 41.- "Q,.. .,/" ~ ~ "fI ;e~ -.(<'-:. :(~~~)~ ... -:...~ ,,/:: .", '" ." ~ J.A t'i.b III 3 "",,Oil .::: "/ 'Y'r. O..O:J~'. c:, "'~ ',,,,'/ I.! [ TE 'f.- ~ ",....' III" \\' 1111111111\\ Resolution No. 2005-27(R) A TMOS GRIP