Warrenton residents will see an increase to their sewer and water rates beginning in August.

Aldermen approved two ordinances to increase the rates during the July 18 meeting.

Both ordinances passed 4-0. Aldermen Scott Schulze and Larry Corder were absent.

The city said the increase to the two rates will cost the average residential user an additional $3.37 more a month or $54.36 per year. An average user is considered someone who uses 5,000 gallons of water a month.

The increase was first discussed in May. Warrenton had a public hearing for residents to speak on the new rates in June, but no member of the public spoke.

The new water rates are as follows:

• Residential residents will pay $8.55 a month for the first 1,000 gallons of water used, and $5.52 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Customers who live outside the city limits will pay $14.64 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5.87 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Industrial and commercial customers within the city limits will pay $27.24 for the first 1,000 gallons and $11.67 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Industrial and commercial customers outside the city limits will pay $28.66 for the first 1,000 gallons and $12.35 for every additional 1,000 gallons.

The new sewer rates are as follows:

• Warrenton and Truesdale residents will pay $14 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5.07 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Residential customers outside the city limits will pay $28 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10.14 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Industrial and commercial customers within city limits will pay $14.88 for the first 1,000 gallons and $5.27 for every additional 1,000 gallons.
• Industrial and commercial customers outside the city limits will pay $29.73 for the first 1,000 gallons and $10.46 for every additional 1,000 gallons.

In May, City Administrator Brandie Walters said the rate increases were needed to keep up with increasing operational costs and to begin paying off water and sewer bonds that passed during the April 4 election.

About the author: Jason Koch is the editor of The Warren County Record, and covers local news and government for the newspaper. He has won multiple awards from both the Indiana and Illinois APME and from the Illinois Press Association. He can be reached at 636-456-6397 or at jason@warrencountyrecord.com