LOXLEY, Ala. — Loxley residents will see a slight increase in their utility bills beginning in June.

After voting unanimously to raise rates, Loxley officials said Monday that the increase was intended to put the town in line with what other municipalities charge.

“We haven’t raised our rates in six years,” said Mayor Billy Middleton. “We wanted to make the impact on our residents as minimal as possible.”

While the rate hike varies, Middleton said, across the board, residents will see an average increase of less than $10 per month.

The last ordinance to increase rates was passed in December of 2002. The ordinance includes water, sewer and garbage rates, connection, impact and tapping fees.

Monday’s vote will increase minimum water rates from $19.45 per month to $21.95 per month. Minimum rates for senior citizens (homes where the head of the household is age 65 and older) increased from $15.27 per month to $17.77 per month.

For water usage between 2,000 and 8,000 gallons per month, the rate is an additional $4.72 per gallon per 1,000 gallons, an increase from $4.29 per 1,000 gallons.

For water usage over 10,000 gallons per month, there is an additional $3.54 per 1,000 gallon charge, an increase from $3.22 per 1,000 gallons.

Basic sewer rates increased from $19.52 per month to $24.02 and from $12.97 per month to $17.47 per month for senior citizens.

Commercial or industrial sewer rates increased from $20.34 per month to $24.84 per month.

Water and sewer connection fees for residential and commercial properties increased from $500 per service to $750 per service. The previous ordinance called for a water and sewer impact fee of $1,000 per service. The town will now charge a water and sewer assessment fee of $1,250 per service. Those rates apply for both residential and commercial properties.

Tapping fees, not previously included in the ordinance, were also added and include $2,300 for a 1-inch tap and $3,225 for a 2-inch tap.

Garbage rates increased from $13.55 per month for residental too $15.55 per month and from $10.80 per month to $12.80 per month for senior citizens. Commercial garbage rates increased from $14.65 per month to $18.65 per month.

The new ordinance will also include the addition of a late fee of $3 if bills are not paid by the 15th of the month. The town will also disconnect services if bills are not paid by the 25th of the month with applicable reconnection fees.

Also changing in the ordinance will be the assessment of senior citizen charges. Under the previous ordinance, once a resident had established senior citizenship with the town, rates were effective immediately. According to the new ordinance, rates will not go into effect until Oct. 1 each year.

Rates will go into effect on or after meter reading begins June 18.

The town council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution with all council members except Derek Middleton in attendance.

In other business the council:

— Set a public hearing for the council’s Monday, June 8 meeting to consider a request by Roger Barnhill Jr. to rezone property from R-1-A, Residential Single Family and A-O, Agriculture Open Space, to B-1 Commercial Local Business District.

— Set a public hearing for June 8 to consider a recommendation by the town’s Planning Commission to amend the Zoning Ordinance’s building code.

— Voted to adopt a resolution honoring all Alabama firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

— Voted to adopt a resolution endorsing the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission grant application to the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance.

— Voted to approve the application of a Community Development Block Grant for sewer rehabilitation improvements.

— Voted to pay for equipping one of two new trucks for the town’s Fire Department.

All measures were passed unanimously.