The Silverton City Council voted at its Feb. 1 meeting to raise water and sewer rates. The increase will help fund investments in the city’s aging infrastructure.
It is the fifth increase since 2011. The last one took place last April. The average residential rate will increase by $5.74 a month from $96.18 to $101.92.
On the Facebook site Speak Out Silverton, Silverton Mayor Rick Lewis said, “These are hard decisions to make because they involve increases that are difficult for some residents.”
The rate increase addresses “critical needs that impact the health and safety of our community,” he said.
The increase will have a second reading at the March 7 council meeting. The rate increases are expected to go into effect July 1.
To review the city’s PowerPoint presentation on the issue, visit www.silverton.or.us/DocumentCenter/View/2801
