Sewer, electric rates to go up in Batavia

Batavia residents' sewer rates will go up by 5 percent next month.

The City Council approved the increase Monday night.

The change is necessary to balance the sewer fund for next year's budget, according to Finance Director Peggy Colby.

The rates were last raised in 2003, and need to be adjusted for inflation, she said.

Eldon Frydendall, who chairs the public utilities committee, said increases in gas costs, chemical costs and gas to drive to a farther site has affected the price.

"Our utilities are faced with the same burdens that each one of us is facing at home," he said.

The increase goes into effect Jan. 1.

Batavia residents will also see a 9 percent hike in their electric rates next year, the same that they experienced this year.

The city, which owns its electric utility, needed that increase to upgrade equipment, officials said.

Those increases are still less than neighboring towns that use commercial electric utilities, officials said.