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Clay Electric customers to see increase in bill for charity

Clay Electric customers will see their bills going up as the company begins a new program that rounds customer's monthly bills to the nearest dollar for charity.

The company, which serves parts of Clay, Baker, Columbia and Putnam counties, said the difference will be donated to charity through a foundation Clay Electric has set up.

Customers will automatically be enrolled in the program but will be able to opt out if they desire.

Serena Girten said she pays a lot of money for her electric bill.

"It's almost $300 this month," she said.

Girten is one of 170,000 customers served by Clay Electric who will see their bill increase starting Oct. 1.

The highest a customer will pay under the new program is 99 cents per month, or $11.88 per year.

"I'm okay with that," customer Tonja Kallam said. "It's going to a good cause."

Clay Electric is mailing newsletters and sending messages online to let customers know about the change.

Action News Jax Ben Becker asked a Clay Electric spokesperson why the company doesn't match the charitable funds it's signing customers up to pay.

Wayne Mattox with Clay Electric said he doubts Clay Electric will match the funds because it's not part of the company's plans.

As for Girten, she said she will be opting out.

"I don't know where that money is going and I'm not going to pay more," she said.

Clay Electric said if 75 percent of its members participate in the program, more than $700,000 will be collected annually.