LAWRENCEBURG ? City leaders are being asked to raise the sanitation rate charged to city residents because of rising costs for the program.

The city has not raised rates in eight years, said MikeWeathers, streets and Sanitation department head, but the costs have increased significantly during that time.

Weathers said the high cost of fuel has forced the department to use 65 percent of its fuel budget already, and the new fiscal year doesn?t begin until July 1. Weathers said he expects a $35,000 shortfall in the budget. That could change, however, if gas rates take another hike.

Raising the residential rate from $8.95 to $11 monthly, Weathers said, would increase the revenue by $130,000 annually.

The city services about 5,000 households, he said.

The rate increase needs to be passed, Weathers continued, by July 1, for the next fiscal year.

Board members have opted to take the matter under consideration, but Commissioner Keith Durham said he wants to look at alternative ways to save money before raising the sanitation rates.

Crdit Daily Herald