The water rate will increase by $3 in January 2010, $1 in January 2011, and $1 in January 2012, while the sewer rate will increase by $2 in January 2010, $1 in August 2010, $1, in January 2011, and $1 in January 2010.
Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr., said that, "Through the years, everything the city purchases has increased."
He added that the city had not increased the water rate in several years, but the sewer rate has increased $1 on the flat rate each year in August.
Although the city had been increasing the sewer rate, more repairs were made than in the past years and more repairs are needed, according to Gibson.
Alderman Ron Branum made the motion to approve the rate increase, and Alderman Brent Pierce seconded the motion, which passed unanimously through the council.
Also during the meeting, Police Chief and Water and Sewer Manager, Mitch Skelton informed the council that Hogan's Painting & Sanding wanted to use a 6,000 gallon pressure vessel to aid in the job of repainting the water tower. Skelton added that the vessel would cost the city $4,500 per month and that the company had said that it may take up to two months to complete depending on the weather.
He informed the council that he would like to reschedule the painting of the tower until spring, to which they agreed.
In other matters that came before the council:
* The council approved the motion to pay for the city's new lawn mower in full at the cost of $3,001.49, to avoid more interest charges;
* An ordinance calling for the regular election of the City of Arbyrd was approved;
* and City Grant Writer Mitzi Dell informed the council that she had applied for a new police car.
The next Arbyrd City Council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., on December 14.

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Raise the rates, raise the rates, always with the raise the rates crap. What are these people thinking? I'd suggest the mayor and aldermen look around town, and calculate how many of their citizenry are seniors on fixed incomes before getting too slaphappy about raising anybody's rates on any city service.
As far as that water tower paint job, I believe I'd be looking for a company that actually OWNED the equipment needed to get the job done before I'd commit to spending $9,000.00, or more, to RENT ONE FOR THEM. How long has this crew been in the tower painting business? Fenion Rowe and Leo Stuman could do that little job, on a weekend no less, for a lot less money.