It’s utility rate time again for the Longview City Council.

Tonight, council members will discuss and vote on possible annual water and sewer rate increases. For water, a 4 percent rate adjustment is being proposed. That includes a 3.5 percent inflationary increase to cover rising operational costs and another 0.5 percent for capital investments.

For sewer rates, city staff is asking the council to consider either a 4 or 5 percent increase. The 4 percent option is about 0.5 percent above inflation and would require gradually drawing down reserve funds to carry out the adopted capital improvement plan. The 5 percent increase would be roughly 1.5 percent above inflation and would help stabilize the fund and reduce the need to tap into reserves.