OTHELLO — Othello City Council approved to increase monthly sewer rates by $2 annually for the next three years Monday.

Mayor Shannon McKay said at some point the Department of Ecology will require the city to upgrade the sewer system facility. When the request is made by Ecology, they city will need grant funding to complete the project, he explained. To obtain grant funds, they must have matching funds and show they were working to gather money for the facility.

Finance Officer Mike Bailey said by 2010 there should be about $2 million in the sewer reserve fund. If a facility must be built, the city must show they raised the rates to a level appropriate to maintain the facility.

Councilmember Marc Spohr said Othello still has some of the lowest sewer rates in the state. He said he doesn’t like to raise rates but understands it is necessary to collect funds for the future facility.

The 2010 rate increase for citizens living in the city limits equates to $21.68, according to a city document. The 2011 increase raises the monthly rate to $23.68 and the 2012 increase makes it $25.68 per month.

The motion to approve the rate increase passed unanimously.

Council also voted to increase the monthly rates for Adams County Water District 1 by $2 annually for the next three years. The water district resides outside the city limits.

Representatives from the water district were not at the meeting.

City Administrator Ehman Sheldon said the city’s $2 increase will be forwarded to the water district for them to review at their next meeting.

Councilmember Eleanor Brodahl was absent from the meeting.