Bonners Ferry City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to increase water rates to $29 a month up from $23.44 a month.

Before the vote, some of the 10 senior citizens attending their meeting voiced concerns for the proposed increases in sewer and water rates. All said it comes at a bad time. Most are on Social Security and fixed incomes, and the increase will make an already difficult financial time more difficult.

Council recognized their concerns and explained that the city is  non-profit and needs to increase the rates to cover maintenance and operation costs.

Repayment on the first $2 million of a bond that the public voted for four years ago begins this year.

If the increase did not take place the city stands to lose a $1 million grant.

The proposed sewer rate increase was not voted on. Council is considering raising the fee from $10.15 a month to $15 a month. After hearing concerns, council decided to review the sewer issue. Currently

At present, sewer rates are covering operation and maintenance expenses. Within the next year, the city will  experience increased operation costs for chlorinating required to treat the algae and meet a federal discharge requirement.

If the proposed increase is approved, the city will still have some of the lowest sewer rates in the region.