The City Council voted Thursday night to raise water and sewer rates and increase the costs of vehicle stickers as it prepared to pass a $17.8 million budget for next year.
The cost for vehicle stickers will increase by $2.50, going to $15. The increase is expected to bring in an additional $15,000 a year, which will go to the capital fund. In addition, the council voted to double the current $25 fine for failure to buy a city vehicle sticker.
The water rate will be increased to $3.57 from $3.42 per 1,000 gallons; residential sewer rates will climb to $2.46 from $2.35 for 1,000 gallons. The commercial rates for sewer service will go to $2.91 from $2.78 per 1,000 gallons.
The actions were taken to help finance a new budget that represents a 2.7 percent increase over this year’s budget.
City Manager Brad Townsend called the budget conservative, but added that it enables the city to complete some capital projects, such as needed street improvements.
The city is planning various capital projects such as the reconstruction of Edgewood Drive, Gilbert Drive, Windsor Street, Potter Street and portions of Sarah and Irmen Drives.
