The Charleston City Council will vote on a proposed water and sewer rate increase at today’s meeting.

The proposal would increase rates by 7 percent, and would raise the minimum rate from $9.96 per 1,000 gallons to $10.65 per 1,000 gallons.

Mayor John Inyart said the increases are long overdue.

“We went through a number of years where there were no adjustments to the water/sewer rates,” Inyart said.

Council members postponed the measure at the last meeting on April 7 to allow public review.

Along with the proposed rate increase, council members will also vote on a proposal to keep the current water/sewer tap fee and cut procedural costs, said City Manager Scott Smith.

The council will also vote on the proposed budget for the new fiscal year, which begins May 1.

In anticipation of a drop in city revenue, the proposed budget includes spending cuts at all city departments, said Comptroller Heather Kuykendall.

“Our department heads are responsible for their own budget,” Kuykendall said. “The city manager mandated not to present anything that hadn’t been reduced.”

But, Kuykendall said the proposed budget also funds new street repair projects and a proposed upgrade to the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

Council members will also vote on proposals to spend $15,000 of city tourism funds.

The funds include $12,500 for entertainment at the city’s annual Red, White, & Blue Days in July.

Also included is $1,000 to fund the Illinois High School Association’s State Track Meet and $1,500 for the association’s Girls State Badminton Championship, both at Eastern in May.

City council members will also vote on two proposed grants from the city’s Tax Increment Finance Fund.

Money in the fund comes from increased tax revenue from businesses in Charleston’s downtown TIF district. That money, in turn, is used to fund improvements to businesses in the district.

The proposed grants, to be used by businesses to improve their properties, include $5,000 for World Finance Company at 406 Sixth St. and $1,000 for the Sewing Salon at 718 Jackson Ave.

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 520 Jackson Ave.

Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.