(KMZA)--Water rates are going up for customers of the city of Seneca.

The City Council  Wednesday evening approved an ordinance increasing the minimum water charge for residences and businesses in the city limits from $15 to $17 for up to 2,000 gallons. The water rate will be $1.75 per thousand gallons in excess of 2,000 gallons.

For customers outside the city limits, except Nemaha County Rural Water District #2, the minimum water charge will be $17.85.  The rate will be $2.19 per thousand gallons in excess of 2,000 gallons.

City Administrator Matt Rehder says the increase is low compared to other similar size cities in the state.  He said the city is trying to get the water fund back to a level playing field.

The last water rate increase was in June 2011. The new rates will become effective with the February billing cycle.

In other business, the council voted to apply for a $90,000 Heritage Trust Fund grant through the Kansas State Historical Society for the restoration of the brick exterior of City Hall. The grant requires a local match. The total cost of the project is projected at $114,000.

And the Council voted to provide the United 4 Youth organization 25-hundred dollars for 2015, which is the same amount the city provided this year.    
The organization had requested an increase to 49-hundred, saying they wanted to hire a part-time social worker to help with the organization’s projects.
United 4 Youth promotes awareness of  underage drinking and drug abuse, along with texting while driving.