(a) 
The city council may on its own motion, after a majority vote of the council, invoke its own rate hearing to determine the justness and reasonableness of any electric rate over which it has jurisdiction in accordance with subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) below.
(b) 
The city council shall provide ninety (90) days written notice to the utility company whose rates it will review. The notice shall contain initial requests for information that will include, but not be limited to, the utility’s cost of service studies regarding revenue requirements and rate design. The notified utility company shall respond in writing to the city’s notice at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the rate hearing.
(c) 
The mayor of the city shall be the chief presiding officer at the rate hearing which may be conducted informally or in accordance with the Public Utility Commission of Texas Procedural Rules which rules are hereby incorporated by reference and adopted by the city. The formal or informal nature of the hearing will be determined at least thirty (30) days prior to the hearing date and the parties will be notified in writing.
(d) 
The utility whose rates are being reviewed has the burden of proof to demonstrate that the rates under review are just, reasonable and nondiscriminatory and comply in all other respects with the statutory standards set forth in the Public Utility Regulatory Act.
(e) 
After the hearing concludes, the city shall review the evidence and shall fix such rates as are in compliance with the legal authorities set forth in subsection (a) above.
(Ordinance 169-05, sec. 29, adopted 2/24/05)
The governing body of the city shall have the right to select and engage rate consultants, accountants, auditors, attorneys, or engineers to conduct investigations, present evidence, advise, and represent the governing body and assist with litigation in public utility rate-making proceedings before the governing body, any regulatory authority, or in court. The public utility noticed and engaged in such proceeding shall be required to reimburse the governing body for the reasonable costs of such services to the extent found reasonable by the applicable regulatory authority pursuant to Section 24(a) of the Public Utility Regulatory Act.
(Ordinance 169-05, sec. 29, adopted 2/24/05)