Smithsburg Town Council members Tuesday night approved a 3 percent water rate increase as they passed a pair of budgets.
The 3 percent water rate increase is contained in a water and sewer budget that was passed for the 2009-10 year.
The increase will cause the minimum water and sewer bill in town to increase from $86.91 to $89.52, and the minimum out-of-town water and sewer bill to go from $124.48 to $128.21, town officials said.
The increase was needed to cover the cost of a new water tank, said Mayor Mildred "Mickey" Myers.
The water and sewer budget was passed subject to a possible review and later modification.
Town council members also passed a $1.2 million general fund budget for the 2009-10 year that contains no tax increases.
--Â Dave McMillion
