Hillsboro water customers will pay a meter fee when they pay their bills after the city council approved adding the fee during their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

According to Public Improvements Commissioner Don Downs, the revenue received from the meter fee will allow the city to purchase additional meters and pay for sewer and water infrastructure. The intial proposal called for a fee of $5 per month.

The fee, Downs said, would be a better alternative than increasing water rates in the city, which he said would have to be done in order to pay for additional meters and infrastructure. He reminded those in attendance that the water department's fund must be self-sustaining in order to pay for certain jobs.

Mayor Brian Sullivan said he understood the benefit to adding a meter fee, but cautioned starting at $5. He said he felt more comfortable starting at $3, stating that the council could increase the charge in the future if needed. According to Finance Commissioner Katie Duncan, applying a $3 meter fee would generate approximately $48,000 in revenue per year. Downs said customers' bills would increase by $36 annually after applying the fee. A motion to add a $3 meter fee to water bills was made, and it passed, 4-0.

The next Hillsboro City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sep. 10, at 7 p.m.