RONAN — The City Council approved a resolution on Monday evening to increase the sewer water rates in Ronan to help partially fund the Spring Creek Lift Station. The increase will total $4.05 per month for each 3/4 inch hookup in a household.

The existing sewer rate is $23.39 for the first 3,000 gallons of water used. With the increase, the base rate will now stand at $27.44.

After the special hearing was closed, the regular council meeting commenced. The council passed a bond resolution for the Spring Creek Lift Station project. The total amount is $294,800, but 52 percent is forgiven because of stimulus money and other grants. The sewer and water rate increase will help fund the remaining amount.

The budget discussion continued as well, with some discrepancies between revenue and expenses still remaining. The biggest difference remained with the money budgeted to the library. The library overspent their budget last year after the city received less income than anticipated, and had to reign in their spending. This year, the library asked for a budget of approximately $86,000. Last year, they were budgeted approximately $64,000, according to the council. This year the library board said they have a new full time person, and need to pay for her insurance. The council decided that the library would need to find a way to make it work with a $64,000 budget again this year, despite some reservations by the city council members.

“I hate to see this because of all the good things and bad things we hear about the city, we hear a lot of good things about the library,” Mayor Kim Aipperspach said.

Assistant Chief of Police Art Walgren brought up saving issues for the COPS grant the city received this year. The federal government will pay for the first three years of a new officer’s salary as part of the grant, as long as the city pays for the fourth year. Walgren is hoping to include some savings in this year’s budget to pay for the officer’s fourth year salary. If the city doesn’t pay the salary in the fourth year, they will be forced to pay back the prior three years grant money as well. The council promised to look into the issue. The next meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 30.