Sewer rates may be going up again.
On Wednesday, the Emporia City Commission discussed raising the rates by either 25 percent of 30 percent. For a family of four, that would take the typical monthly sewer bill of $22.19 a month and boost it to either $27.77 or $28.83.
No vote was taken on the measure and none has been scheduled yet.
Sewer rates are based on a flat meter charge and a cost per thousand gallons of water used. The city last raised sewer rates in 2005 when it increased meter charges by $1.50 a month to help cover increased expenses at the wastewater treatment plant. The last usage increase came in 2003.
This new increase would allow the city to cover the depreciation of the plant and other sewer equipment and make repairs and improvements as needed without resorting to a bond issue.
Commissioner Julie Johnson asked what a 30 percent increase would do that a 25 percent increase wouldn’t.
City Engineer Keith Beatty said he would get the details for the commission.