City Manager James Wheeler estimated the average residential customer would pay about $10 more per year. Wheeler had recommended a rate of $9.07 for an increase of 4.7 percent from the current rate of $8.66. To achieve that rate, he recommended using $1.15 million from the sewer user fund balance, leaving $3.8 million in that account. Wheeler said the average sewer bill is still below the state average. He said small increases avoid draining the fund balance, allowing the city to be able to keep the rate down. The council split on the sewer rate. Councilor Russell Otis argued for following Wheelerâs recommendation, pointing out it would cost the average residential customer about $20 for the year.