At the next regularly scheduled Blanco city council meeting (Tuesday, April 14 at 6 p.m. in the Byars Building), the utility customers of the City of Blanco will have the opportunity to discuss their utility rates.

Recently, the city council voted to raise the rates for trash collection by 2 percent. The city has not raised the rates for 5 years, despite the fact that the trash collection company raises its rate to the city every year. The 2 percent increase will amount to approximately 25 cents on a residential bill for a normal size tote. The increase will be slightly larger for those with the larger totes and roll offs.

The city is also planning on increasing the sewer rates by $12 a month. Currently, the city sewer plant runs in the red. The payments charged the customer do not cover the cost of running the plant.

Changes in water rates are also under discussion. Currently, everyone in the city is charged at the same rate regardless of how much water they use. Those living outside the city pay 1.5 times what city residents pay.

The council is considering going to a graduated approach to billing and separating commercial and industrial customers from residential, public school, health facilities and non-profits (including churches). Customers in the latter category that use less than 5,000 gallons of water a month would see no increase in their water rate. Those using more than 5,000 gallons would be charged at a higher rate for the water used above 5,000 gallons.

Commercial customers that use less than 2,000 gallons would see no change in their rates. Commercial customers that use over 2,000 gallons a month and industrial customers will see a change in their base rate and a change in their usage rate (the amount charged per 1,000 gallons).

For more information, and to express your concerns, attend the public hearing on April 14.