By Tim SchmidtRecord Managing EditorWright City residents will pay more for water and sewer services beginning next month.Aldermen last Thursday approved an increase in the rates, a move officials said was needed to fund existing demands and future improvements to the city’s infrastructure.The water rates within the city will go up 50 cents for every 1,000 gallons used, while sewer rates will climb $1.30. Rates for consumers outside the city limits will double from the in-city rate. The minimum rates for both water and sewer will remain the same.A public hearing on the proposed new water and sewer rates was held at the start of last Thursday’s board of aldermen meeting.An ordinance establishing the new rates was unanimously approved. The city’s last increase was in 2012.The hike will generate an additional $50,000 in the water fund and $100,000 in the sewer fund, according to city treasurer/economic development director Karen Girondo.Peggy Sherman, a Wright City resident, questioned the board about the increase.“I am not opposed to the increase, but I don’t think you should depend on residents and businesses to pay for this,” she remarked. “There should be other things to take the responsibility of that money besides the people that are here. Some businesses are struggling. We should have more commerce in the city.”Alderman Jim Schuchmann noted that the city has been working on upgrading the water and sewer systems and has identified other future projects.“We have made significant upgrades in the Kerland subdivision in the past four to six years,” he said. “This year we’re focusing on the area behind Ruiz (Castillo) restaurant. The lines go from 6 inches to 4 inches and back to 6 inches. It needs to be addressed and taken care of.He added, “DNR and EPA are constantly tightening regulations with discharge in the creeks. It’s getting close to the point where not too far in the distant future we won’t be able to have a lagoon system and will have to have a mechanical plant to physically remove the contaminates from the water. That is a very expensive proposition.”The minimum water fee inside the city limits will remain at $7 for seniors and $8 for residential and commercial customers for the first 1,000 gallons used. The rate will increase from $3.35 to $3.85 for each 1,000 gallons used thereafter.Customers outside the city limits will pay a $16 minimum fee for the first 1,000 gallons and $7.70 for every additional 1,000 gallons.For sewer customers inside the city limits, the minimum fee will continue to be $6 for seniors and $8 for other users. For every 1,000 gallons used, the fee will go from $3.55 to $4.85.Rates for sewer customers outside the city will jump from $7.10 to $9.70 for every 1,000 gallons used.Girondo said that the monthly sewer fee will continue to be averaged for June, July and August. The fee for those three months will be based upon a six-month average between October and March.Officials noted that customers actually pay less than what normally would be required if the city based the costs on the actual water consumption.Wright City finalizes water, sewer rate hike