Light switch. (Courtesy of Jeff Motz/KFOR News)LINCOLN–(KFOR Oct. 3)–The Lincoln Electric System Board’s Finance Committee has proposed a rate increase as part of its 2025 budget. LES is proposing a 3.3% systemwide increase for retail customers. If approved, the average residential customer would see their monthly bill rise by approximately $3.50. Other rate classes could see increases ranging from 2.1% to 10%, depending on the cost to serve each customer category. The proposed total budget for 2025 is nearly $475-million.   This includes $291 million for operations and nearly $184 million for capital expenses. If approved, this would represent an increase of roughly $143 million since the 2023 budget. If the recommendation is approved by the LES Board on October 18, the rate increase will move to the Lincoln City Council for a public hearing in November, and could take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.