DAPHNE, Ala. — Daphne Utilities general manager Rob McElroy announced at Monday’s City Council business meeting a public hearing to be held today at 5 p.m. at the Utilities Board meeting in City Hall to discuss Daphne Utilities’ proposed rate increase that would help the provider cover increasing costs of utility maintenance.

“The cost of providing water and sewer has gone up dramatically,” McElroy said.

The average cost of equipment and materials needed to provide basic services has risen more than $165,000 per year for the last three years, according to a fact sheet supplied by McElroy at the council meeting.

“This is only affecting water and sewer,” he said.

The proposed rate increase breakdown is as follows.

For the average-use customer:

For the minimum-use customer:

“We exist to meet the water and sewer needs of our community,” McElroy said. “A few years ago, we were having water restrictions during the summer. We don’t want to go back to those days.

“I’d rather give them service they can be proud of than service that’s cheap that meets their needs.”

During public participation, resident Rod Drummond spoke out against the utility’s proposed increase.

“These days, in spite of the economy, things keep going upwards,” he said, of rising costs for services, citing the utility’s proposed increase, a proposed 1 percent sales tax increase to help the school board offset its reported deficit as well as a dues increase at property owners associations.

To find out how an individual resident’s or business owner’s bill would be affected, call Daphne Utilities at 626-2628.

In other business, the council:

All appropriations are from the general fund.

Councilwoman Cathy Barnette said the terms of appointment are to be determined as she’s set a goal of staffing a five-person board and wants to wait until all positions are filled before setting terms.

All seven members of the former Downtown Redevelopment Authority submitted a joint letter of resignation last summer citing obstacles in obtaining funding for projects as reasoning for leaving.

Barnette announced in October her intentions of reaffirming the board’s authority and has since publicly asked for interested applicants to inquire about positions.

Small commended Robinson for her commitment and service to the community.

Robinson has spent the last 35 years as a Baldwin County public school librarian and Library Board member.

Library Director Tonja Young handed Small, along with each council member, a copy of Mark Twain’s classic American literary tale, “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” the official selection of the “Alabama Reads” program.