By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

CALERA – The Calera City Council voted Monday night to increase sewer rates and adopt its budget for fiscal year 2012.

The new sewer rate increases the base charge for sewer usage from $7 to $12 for residential, commercial and industrial customers. The rate of $4.90 per 1,000 gallons of water usage remains the same.

Finance Director Roy Hadaway said the increase was needed because revenue from sewer customers isn’t enough to cover debt service on the sewer plant. He said increased rates would eventually help the city “break even” in the next couple years.

Calera Mayor Jon Graham said Calera’s sewer rates hadn’t been raised in 10 years.

The new rates go into effect in 30 days.

Calera’s adopted budget projects total revenues at $17,788,425 and total normal operating expenditures at $17,741,870.