Fort Oglethorpe water and sewer customers could soon see more than a $4 increase on their bill.

On Monday, Nov. 8, a Catoosa-Fort Oglethorpe sewer and water rate advisory board recommended an increase in the city’s minimum water rate from $6 to $8 for the first 2,000 gallons. The board suggested a sewer rate hike from $6.30 per 2,000 gallons of water to $8.40, bringing the minimum water/sewer bill to $16.40. Also under the board’s recommendations, commercial water rates will go up to $10 per 2,000 gallons.

County residents who utilize the city’s sewer service will also incur the increase. Those customers pay a 30 percent higher sewer rate than city customers, according to City Manager Jim Dinley.

City officials blamed a 30 percent increase since 1997 from the City of Chattanooga for sewer disposal, coupled with a raise in rates from Tennessee American Water Company this year from 95 cents to $1.05 for every 1,000 gallons of water, as the causes of a fee hike.

“We’re either going to have to borrow money or increase rates to make up for the last six or seven years,” Councilman Ronnie Cobb said.

“We just can’t absorb or not pass through the next increase,” Mayor Judd Burkhart said.

The last sewer rate increase in Fort Oglethorpe came in 1998, officials said.

Phyllis Williams, who along with Bob Sargent make up the citizen members of the advisory board, said she was against the proposed hike.

“Everybody in my neighborhood is on a fixed income,” she said.

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The Fort Oglethorpe City Council has the final decision on the amount of the new water and sewer rates and will consider the advisory board’s recommendation. The advisory board consisted of Cobb, Williams, Sargeant, Councilwoman Jane Moye and County Commissioners Mark Fletcher and Bobby Winters