Bonners Ferry City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at city hall to discuss water  and sewer rate increases.

Basic rates for water are expected to jump from $17.10 to $29 a month.  Sewer rates are expected to increase from $10.50 to $15 a month.

The current base water fee for residents of Bonner Ferry is $17.10  for 1,000 cubic feet of water.  Residents using more than the 1,000 cubic feet pay an extra 1 cent per cubic foot. 

The city needs to collect $34 a month from residents to pay for a bond received from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in 2006. The city hoped that the current rate of $17.10 plus the overage fee would cover bond repayments, however city residents have been conserving water.  The rate increase is necessary to generate enough money to pay back the bond.

As for the sewer rates, the increase is needed to pay for government required testing.