City council approved water and sewer rate increases

The Decorah City Council has unanimously approved increases in sewer and water rates in the city.

Council members approved the third and final readings of two ordinances--one to increase water rates by 2 percent and another to increase sewer rates 4 percent.

City officials say the water utility has a $10,970 deficit in its annual budget, while the sewer utility has a $31,940 deficit.  The increases approved Monday night will eliminate the current year operating deficits.

Also Monday night, council members approved the site plan for an addition to St. Benedict Catholic Church.  The project, which will add several facilities, including a new handicapped-accessible entrance to the church, is expected to take approximately 11 months. The site plan approval clears the way for groundbreaking to be held and construction to begin in August.