Water, sewer rates to increase

City and county residents' sewer rates will increase by $4 next month to meet rising costs of maintenance and operation.

In addition, residents will see an increase of 5 cents per thousand gallons used, which brings the total monthly charge to $1.30 per thousand gallons.

City residents' water rates are also going up next month from $24.34 to $25.12 for 1/2-inch meters, and from $34.34 to $35.44 for 1-inch meters.

The city also raised water service fees to $2.86 per thousand gallons used after the base 3,000 gallons. That's up 9 cents from the previous rate.

Those outside the city limits will see their monthly rates increase by $1 for 3/4-inch meters and by $1.37 for 1-inch meters.

City residents on commercial and industrial water service will be charged $5.22 per thousand gallons of water up to 8,000. The same residents will be charged $5.38 for additional 1,000 gallons.For county residents using commercial and industrial water service, the cost will be $6.52 per thousand gallons up to 8,000 gallons. Each additional 1,000 gallons after that will cost $6.72.The council held a public hearing on Aug. 15 to hear residents' comments on the rate increases.