Austin Energy officials presented their updated rate hike proposal to city council Thursday. One of the biggest changes to the plan is phasing in the rate increase over the next few years.

If council accepts the plan, the first phase would take effect in June, with the final increases taking effect in October of 2014.

“It gives us some time between the first phase and the second phase to address some changes we can make, perhaps even address how large the next piece is,” Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weiss said.

The plan still includes a $12 fixed monthly customer charge for all users, but that fee now includes the first 200,000 kilowatt hours of energy consumed.

Austin Energy officials say the rate hike would lead to about a $13 increase for small apartment owners and a $28 increase for average homeowners with electric heat. Churches would have a reduced rate on weekends.

The proposed hike is Austin Energy’s first rate increase since 2004.