As expected, water rates in Mt. Carmel are going up again. Two weeks ago, the city council heard the first reading of the ordinance that would help raise revenue to pay for planned projects related to the water department. At Monday’s meeting, water commissioner Tom Meeks said nobody on the council relishes the thought of raising rates…

Mayor Joe Judge said the water department is an independent enterprise within the city and must opearate on its’ own set of revenue and expenses

Even with the rate increase, officials say the city still won’t have much wiggle room as the higher rates barely cover the projects.