SOAP LAKE - Soap Lake rate payers will see a $2.50 bump on their monthly utility bill after council approved a residual sewer rate hike.

The increase will help fund eventual upgrades to the city's water treatment facility mandated by the state Department of Ecology, council members said.

The increase is part two of a $5 hike first proposed last March as a way to qualify the city for loans by assuring there are sufficient revenues to pay them back. Council members at the time reportedly believed residents would be better able to digest the rate hike if it were dished out over a two-year span.

Councilwoman JoAnne Rushton said last week it's time for the other shoe to drop, making a motion to approve the second $2.50 increase, effective immediately.

"If we don't have the money to show we can pay back a loan we're not going to get the money to improve our sewer treatment plant," she said.

But Councilman John Glassco requested the increase be postponed until the city engineering consultant completes an updated facility upgrade plan showing exactly how much money will be required to operate the treatment plant over the next decade or two.

He also wanted to wait and see whether Ecology plans to relax their time line for the upgrades in the face of uncertain state funding.

"We have heard that the money might not be forthcoming due to the state budget," he said. "If the money isn't coming, and Ecology will cut back their urgency to have the plant upgraded, maybe we can postpone until the economy picks up. I can't imagine if the funds were withheld that they would hold us up to that standard."

Councilman Keith Hagglund seconded Glassco's motion to put off the rate hike until facility planning is complete - likely within the next 60 days - but the rest of the council refused and voted instead to approve the increase with no amendments.

"I don't see any reason to postpone," said Councilman John Hillman.