The Nov. 1 deadline is looming as Terre Haute officials prepare next year's city budget.
Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett says a 33 percent sewer rate increase will help make up the $5 million needed after the city council did not pass a storm water fee last month. That's about an additional $14-a-month for a resident making monthly payments of $42.
Bennett says he doesn't care how the city gets the money, just as long as they have new revenue.
"People don't come in and testify and say raise my rates — that doesn't happen, we get that," Bennett says. "But when you're mandated to do this, we have no choice."
Bennett is referring to the money needed to pay for the long term water control plan that he says needs to start by next fall. Bennett says if council approves the increase, the $5 million will create a surplus that will also go against the deficit.
Council member O. Earl Elliott is calling for a two stage sewer rate increase, one now at 6 percent and another next year at 12 percent.
"There are also amounts that are fair and reasonable as opposed to excessive, and I'm one that just believes you stay in the fair and reasonable area," Elliott says.
Council members will debate the sewer rate increase 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.