City council agreed last night to an additional 7.5 percent sewer rate increase to update and expand its 27-year-old Bush River Wastewater Treatment Plant to handle city growth and added production at Louis Rich.

The 7.5 percent rate increase goes into effect July 1, one year to the date when last year’s 7.5 percent rate increase took place.

“If you’ll recall, this is the second half,“ Mayor Ed Kyzer told council. “The first half we recommended last year at 7.5 percent. It takes a total of 15 percent to rebuild the sewer plant, make it (run) at capacity and take care of our sewer treatment throughout our community and city.“

The revenue is also required to secure an $18 million loan that the city has applied for.

The loan and a $1 million grant commitment from the Economic Development Administration will go towards the plant expansion and updated, 5-million-gallon-per-day treatment.

Currently, the city treats around 3.5 million gallons per day.

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The city will submit the loan application within the next two weeks and expects up to a two month review period by the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said Budds.

In the Spring, the loan and plant expansion plan would be approved, and bidding would begin.

The construction period of 18 months to two years is slated to begin before July.