Fort Oglethorpe City Council unanimously approved a sewer rate increase Monday night, the second in less than a year.

The new rate is 10 cents more for every 1,000 gallons, bringing the base residential sewer rate from $8.30 to $8.50, for the first 2,000 gallons. The rate for each additional 1,000 gallons moves from $2.21 to $2.31.

There is no change in residential water rates.

“This is not an increase to generate revenue; it has nothing to do with that,” Councilman Ronnie Cobb said. “Before passing it along, we were looking at a $60,000 deficit after one year of what the increase has been from Moccasin Bend (Chattanooga).”

Commercial sewer rates will increase from $11.45 to $11.65, for the first 2,000 gallons. The new rate for each additional 1,000 gallons will be $4.78.

The current rate hike is the second in less than a year. In 2004, the City Council increased the base residential sewer rate from $6.20 to $8.30, while commercial rates rose to $11.45 for the first 2000 gallons used.

The 2004 increase went into effect in January 2005. The 2005 increase will be effective in November.

Officials cited higher costs passed down from Chattanooga for sewage disposal for that increase as well, in addition to increases from Tennessee American Water Company.

“This is the increase that Chattanooga did to Fort Oglethorpe, and we have to pass it on to our customers,” Mayor Judd Burkhart said.



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