The Charleston City Council will vote on 14 agenda items during its meeting, including a water and sewer rate increase, on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

According to the ordinance that would amend the rates to increase them, “it is necessary to increase the charges for said service in order to continue the provision of service.”

For water and sewer services within corporate limits for metered users, excluding Eastern, the price for 1,000 gallons of water or less (the minimum charge) will increase from $14.75 to $15.33 if the ordinance is approved.

Eastern would go from being charged at a rate of $14.19 to a charge of $14.75 per 1,000 gallons.

Users of the city’s water would be charged $13.94 per 1,000 gallons as opposed to $13.41.

The council will also vote on adopting fireworks guidelines.

The guidelines would include language to regulate the storing and selling of fireworks, a license requirement for seasonal retailers and the exemptions for the fireworks guideline.

The ordinance would also give the chief of the Charleston Fire Department the authority to “seize, take, remove or cause to be removed, at the expense of the owner, all stocks or fireworks or combustibles offered or exposed for sale, stored or held in violation of this subchapter.”

The council will also vote on amending the official zoning map.

Two agreements, one with the city of Decatur for leasing a ladder truck and one with Homefield Energy for electrical services, will also be voted on.

One announcement and three proclamations will also be made.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2019 and ending April 30, 2020 will continue to be on public inspection until the April 16 council meeting.

Copies of the budget can be found at the Charleston City Hall or the Carnegie Library, and they are also available on the city’s website.

Following the action items, time is reserved for members of the public to address the City Council. No action will be taken on matters not listed on the agenda, and the Council is not required to take any further action or to discuss the matter further.

The City Council asks that those who choose to address the Council speak into the microphone, limit the presentation to three minutes and avoid repetitive comments.

Corryn Brock can be reached at 581-2812 or at cebrock@eiu.edu.