Soon, Jefferson residents will see an increase on their water and sewer bills.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says every year, the City Council reviews the water and sewer rates and makes recommendations based off any increases in usage or expenditures.

The proposed rate increase is three percent across the board for water and sewer.  Palmer explains that for a single person it would be about a $.77 per month increase for water and a $1.10 raise for sewer services.  Likewise, for a family of four, it would be a $3.15 per month increase for water and a $3.50 increase for sewer.

Palmer talks about why sometimes they have to impose a raise on water and sewer rates.

“They need to break even.  They’re not supported by taxes, they’re supported by fees, user fees.  Costs go up, chemicals go up, pipe goes up, everything goes up as everybody knows so this is our calculations to at least keep us breaking even.”

He points out that last year, the City didn’t raise the rates, but he would rather do small increment increases now instead of having a large increase later.

The Council is expected to approve the third and final reading to increase the rates at next Tuesday’s meeting.