The Seaside City Council approved increased water and sewer rates during the June 26 council meeting.

Seaside’s water fund has not been able to keep up with its operating costs since 2021, City Manager Spencer Kyle said. The city projected an $816,000 shortfall in the water fund without a rate increase.

Councilors were presented with three options to increase water rates within the city. The first option included a higher base rate and usage charge. A second option would increase rates for accounts with a 1.5-inch or larger meter — which are typically associated with nonresidential entities. A final option would increase the base rate rather than usage.

The council voted to approve the second option.

The city’s sewer fund has also not broken even for about 10 years, Kyle said. Without a rate change, the fund would operate at an approximate loss of $115,000 next year.

Currently, Seaside charges a base rate of $38.64 and a usage rate of $5.52 for sewer service. The proposed changes include a new base rate of $40.57 and a usage rate of $5.80. The council approved the sewer rate changes.

The rate increases for both the water and sewer rates go into effect as of Aug. 15 and will be reflected in October bills.