SILVERHILL, Ala. — The Silverhill Town Council voted Monday to raise the town’s water rates for in-town and out-of-town customers.

According to Town Clerk Bonnie McNeil the hike was the first for town water customers since 2001.

To help families on fixed incomes the council voted not to raise basic rates for usage of up to 2,000 gallons per month, which are $18.79 per month for in-town customers and $21.05 for out-of-town custmers.

The council voted to raise rates for customers using over 2,000 gallons; a 5 percent increase for in-town customers and 25 percent for out-of-town customers.

For customers using 2,001 gallons to 4,000 gallons that means an increase from, in addition to the basic rate, $5.50 per 1,000 gallons to $5.53 per 1,000 gallons for in-town customers and from $5.80 per 1,000 gallons to $7.25 per thousand gallons, plus the basic rate.

For over 4,000 gallons, the rate increased from $3.30 per 1,000 gallons to $3.32 per 1,000 gallons for in-town customers and from $3.50 per 1,000 gallons to $4.40 per 1,000 gallons for out-of-town customers. Those rates will be added to the basic rates, plus applicable rates for the first 4,000 gallons used.

Town council members said the rate increases were necessary because of expenses occurred in building the town’s just recently completed well, plus added maintenance expenses for the upkeep of the well, which is larger than the previous well.

The council pass the measure, which was proposed by Council Member Jared Lyles, by a 5-1 vote. Mayor Tim Wilson cast the lone dissenting vote with all council members present at Monday’s meeting.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Voted to place a $500 deposit on the use of a water meter for fire hydrants. Following the vote, Council Member Steve Brooks said the council needed to remind developers that taking water without having an approved water meter for reimbursement purposes is a felony, punishable by law. Town Superintendent of Utilities Steve Williams said the town only has two water meters. The cost to replace a meter is about $1,500.

— Voted to allow Riviera Utilities to place a street light on Sixth Street.

— Voted to increase the fee after-hours for having a member of the utilities department turn the power back on after it has been shut off due to lack of payment. Previously, the fee was $20, plus the regular $20 reconnect fee. The council voted to increase the after-hours fee to $40, bring the total cost to $60 for the customer. Council Member John Ullrich, who made the proposal, asked that it be added that employees would not come out to reconnect after 9 p.m.