Latest local news, weather and high school sports for Toledo area

TOLEDO, OHIO -- Toledo City Council narrowly rejected a proposal to raise water and sewer rates for residents on Tuesday evening.

By a vote of 6-5, council remains divided on the issue of raising rates to pay for new infrastructure upgrades. The Department of Public Utilities says the rate hike is needed to fund desperately needed repairs and replacement of water mains and sewer lines.

Higher water and sewer rates for the City of Toledo seem to be a guarantee, after the proposal was strongly urged by the administration of Toledo Mayor Mike Bell. The issue remains how much of an increase and how soon, as some council members feel rate hikes will become a financial burden for residents in their districts.

Councilwoman Lindsay Webb, who proposed a rate increase that many on council seemed to have been in favor of leading up to Tuesday's vote, left council chambers at the time of the vote.  She did not vote on the proposal.

The proposed increases inlcude an increase in water bills by 9% each year over the next four years. Sewer rates would increase by 6.75% and storm water rates would go up by 7.5% each year over the next four years. The rates were agreed upon by Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and council members Lindsay Webb, Tom Waniewski and Joe McNamara last week. 

Council members will meet Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m. to resume talks on the issue.