Higher sewer fees could be around the corner in Mount Vernon.

Ordinances that would increase wastewater connection fees and sewer rates are slated for approval at Wednesday's Mount Vernon City Council meeting.

If the ordinances are approved, residents can expect connection fees to increase from about $2,700 to $5,360 to cover the city’s wastewater treatment plant improvements, cost of operations and debt service, according to Mount Vernon Finance Director Alicia Huschka.

“Our connection fees haven’t been adjusted since 1990, so it’s definitely time for us to do that,” Huschka said Monday.

A 6 percent raise in sewer rates could also increase residents’ monthly sewer bill from $39 to about $42 in 2009, with varied annual increases until 2013.

Sewer rates have not been adjusted since January 2006, Huschka said.

Also on the agenda is approval of a community marketing campaign between the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley Hospital, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon School District and the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce with Hamilton/Sanderson marketing firm.
Representatives from the groups have been meeting about the campaign since last year, officials said.

The City Council will also recognize the a group of Mount Vernon baseball players who won the 14-year-old Babe Ruth Northern Washington State Championship and Northwest Regional Tournament.

The team will travel to Quincy, Mass., to take part in the World Series Aug. 16-23.

The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the Police Court Campus in Mount Vernon.