Sewer rates will rise starting early next year after the City Council approved an ordinance increasing the base rate fee.
At the council meeting Monday, members approved an ordinance that will lead the average customer within city limits to see a 50-cent increase, while customers outside the city will see a $1.50 increase.
The increase covers additional billing and collection expenses once Missouri American Water stops billing city customers Jan. 1. The base rate pays for administrative costs, not the cost of treatment.
Nathan Nickolaus, interim city administrator and city counselor, said the original increase was slated to cost $2, but city staff was able to bring the figure down to 50 cents.
The council also suspended the rules Monday to approve an ordinance establishing a moratorium on the Neighborhood Improvement Program.