ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Water and sewer service will cost city residents more beginning in 30 days.

City Council held the third and final reading of rate increase legislation Monday, followed by a vote. The increase totals an additional 10 percent for water and 1.10 percent for sewer. Water rates will go up $2.70 while sewer rates will rise 30 cents per month.

Council members said customers will see an increase of $3 per 1,000 gallons used. The current rate is $13.49 per 1,000 gallons, and the city requires a minimum charge for 2,000 gallons, for a cost of about $26.98. After the increase, the rate per 1,000 gallons will be $14.84, or $29.68 each month.

The current rate per 1,000 gallons of sewer is $13.25. With minimum water usage of 2,000 gallons, the monthly sewer minimum will become $27.10.

The goal is to maintain the water and sewer systems once the city begins purchasing water from Belmont County. The yearly cost of purchasing it will be about $1 million, and the county could increase rates 2.5 to 3 percent yearly.

The rate changes take effect in 30 days.

The vote was unanimous, with council members Don Vincenzo, Beth Oprisch, J.C. Thrash and Mike Smith voting in favor. Councilwomen Terra Butler, Linda Jordan and Kristi Lipscomb were unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting.

In other matters, Mayor Kathryn Thalman reported negotiations with the employees’ union are proceeding. The union includes water, sewer and street department employees. The contract will expire June 30, and Safety and Service Director Jeremy Greenwood said it may be extended.

“There’s a couple items on there we’re in heavy discussions on. Others are minor things and some are cleaning up verbiage,” Greenwood said.

He added that negotiations have been ongoing since May and there have been difficulties scheduling negotiation sessions. Greenwood said a completed contract would be presented to council for passage as legislation.

Oprisch commended the administration for negotiating the contract without using outside attorneys.

Greenwood also reported new sinkholes at Millrose Street, joining the ones on Thompson and Central Park. He added there have been 17 waterline breaks this year, and he believes 12 have been caused by the ongoing project to replace the aging distribution system.

In addition, a liner has been installed in the culvert beneath Interstate 70 in preparation for running a new permanent main waterline.

“They’re going to start laying pipe next week or the week after,” Greenwood said.

For more than a year, a temporary waterline has been run along Reservoir Road, since it was found that the main waterline from the treatment plant was leaking and close to breaking.

The public is reminded that the 25th anniversary of the city bike trail will be commemorated at 6 p.m. today at the gazebo at 215 Sunset Drive. A concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Thalman voiced the hope that the weather would be cooperative during Wednesday’s events. Several current and prior officials will attend and speak. Shelley Fortney, former utility manager, sent a note saying she was unable to attend but made a donation for the maintenance and beautification of the trail.

Council went into a closed-door session for close to two hours to confer with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action. No action was taken afterward.