Chattanooga City Councilman Jack Benson shot questions at the Chattanooga Gas Co. officials today just before the start of the council's committee meetings.

The council is on the verge of approving a franchise agreement for the Chattanooga Gas Co. which would add a 3.15 percent increase on bills for gas users who live within the city.

Benson asked the gas company if the rate or the agreement as a whole would be looked at by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority, which must grant approval for most utility rate hikes in the state.

An attorney for the gas company said the TRA would look at the agreement as a whole.

Benson then asked if the council's approval of the increase would weigh favorably with TRA.

Dan Johnson, chief of staff for Mayor Ron Littlefield, told Benson the TRA would probably consider the city's position highly in approval.

For complete details, read tomorrow's edition of the Times Free Press.