Sewer rates will be slowly increasing in Clarkson over the next five years, according to an ordinance passed at the city’s regular monthly meeting on Monday evening.

Ordinance 2012-06, which passed by a unanimous vote, received its second reading, and rate increases are scheduled to begin on January 1, 2013.

Sewer rates in the city are based on water consumption, with a base rate applying to the use of 1,500 gallons or less of water, and an increased rate for every 1,500 additional gallons used.

The current base rate of $12 for the first 1,500 gallons will increase to $12.72 on January 1. A year from that date, on January 1, 2014, it will jump to $13.48. In 2015, it will increase to $14.28, and finally, in 2016, it will reach $15.13.

The current rate for each additional 1,500 gallons used is $7, which will increase in January to $7.42. On January 1, 2014, the rate will go up to $7.86, and in 2015 it will jump to $8.33. It will reach its highest rate of $8.82 on January 1, 2016.

The ordinance served to amend the sewer guidelines, which were laid out originally in 1989, and have only been amended once since then, in October of 2005.

In other city matters, the council was approached by members representing the Grayson County Soccer Association regarding putting up more permanent fencing in the park, which hosts their soccer matches.

The Soccer Association is concerned with the potential for balls having been kicked out of the fields winding up on the railroad tracks.

Representative Christina Thompson voiced concern that small children might consider going down onto the tracks to retrieve the balls.

The group currently puts up a more flimsy, temporary fencing that is often torn down, they said, and asked for the city’s blessing to erect either a weld-wire or chain-link fence in its place.

The fence would separate the soccer area from the walking track, which runs along a bank that leads down to the tracks.

The commissioners agreed that such protective measures should be taken, and discussed both fencing options in a positive light.

The Soccer Association plans to obtain quotes for both types of fencing before making a final decision.