As expected, the Mt. Carmel City Council has unanimously approved raising garbage rates starting next month. The ordinance, which was approved, at Monday’s council meeting, will increase garbage rates 75 cents a month from $19 to $19.75 starting December 20th. Then on July 20th of next year, the rate will go up another 50 cents to $20.25 a month. Previously, city leaders said the increases were necessary because of price hikes from Republic Services.