The majority of water users in Gothenburg will likely pay 85 cents more per month for water.

During the first meeting of the new year, on Jan. 7, the Gothenburg City Council passed an ordinance on first reading that would raise rates 4.9% for residents with three-quarter-inch pipes.

Their bills would increase from $17.01 to $17.86 a month.

Commercial rates will rise an additional 4 cents per 1,000 gallons used.

Council members also raised water rates in January of 2013.

Two more readings are needed before the ordinance goes into effect.

After a 20-minute discussion about past projects in the community, the council approved a community zoning and subdivision program.

Members also agreed to pay $10,000 to Hanna-Keelan Associates, a Lincoln-based community planning and research firm.

The company will review and update Gothenburg’s zoning and subdivision ordinances.

In large part, the request was accepted because the last time Gothenburg updated its zones was in 1985, council president Jeff Kennedy said.

City administrator Bruce Clymer said Hanna-Keelan is focused on working with Gothenburg’s planning committee.

“They want to do what the city wants,” Clymer said.

Hanna-Keelan will look at and review current codes, Clymer said, and have training sessions for the planning committee about legalities.

On another matter, city council:

appointed Lori Hoesel to the Airport Authority Board to replace Kent Kline who resigned.

granted a special designated license to the Gothenburg Fire Department. The department requested the license for a business-after-hours event on March 1, from noon to 1 p.m.

austin This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

308-537-3636