A number of fees are going up in Sedalia this fall, including those for water and sewer, after action taken Monday, Aug. 18 by the city council.

The council voted 8-0 to institute a five-percent increase for water rates and 7.5 percent increase for wastewater rates. City administrator Matthew Wirt says the new rates will take effect Oct. 1, the first increase for the system since April 2017.

The new rates will total $3.96 for every 1000 gallons of water used, with the same amount of wastewater treatment totaling $8.28. The base rate for residential sewer service will increase to $15.46, and water service for 5/8″ meters will increase by 50 cents to $10.59. A household using five-thousand gallons per month can expect to pay an additional $5.43 per month. Wirt acknowledges the potential sticker shock, and says the city will aim to make smaller, but more regular adjustments to rates going forward.

Utilities director William Bracken noted during his presentation at Monday’s meeting that it currently costs Sedalia $9.05 to treat 1000 gallons of wastewater, and $4.11 to supply 1000 gallons of water.

The Sedalia City Council also approved a slate of fee increases for services at the city cemetery, community development, sanitation, and fulfilling public file requests at city hall as well as the police and fire departments. A separate proposal to increase fees at the animal shelter will receive consideration at the council’s next meeting, Sept. 2. A number of fees associated with the community center were taken off the books with a third ordinance that council approved.

Also Monday night, the city council set the tax rates for 2025: