Increases in water and sewer bills for Fort Dodge residents will be considered by the Fort Dodge City Council when it meets tonight.

The proposed increases would raise the monthly water bill for an average family by $2.12 per month starting Jan. 1

They would raise the monthly sanitary sewer bill for an average family by $1.33 per month starting Jan. 1.

The proposed increases are necessary to cover inflation, City Manager David Fierke wrote in reports to the council.

The council will begin its efforts at 5:30 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, 819 First Ave. S., with a workshop session. During that session there will be a report on Main Street Fort Dodge and a discussion of a proposed Environmental Protection Agency community-wide assessment.

The council’s business meeting will follow at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building.

The water and sewer rate increases will be discussed during the regular business meeting.

The proposal before the council is actually for two increases for both the water and sewer bills. The first increase would go into effect Jan. 1, 2025. The second would go into effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The increases will have to be approved by the council on three separate votes in order to go into effect.

The replacement of a bridge on the Fort Dodge Nature Trail is also on the agenda for the council tonight.