Okanogan City Council Jan. 6 approved a fee schedule affecting nearly every rate and fee charged by the city.
     Mayor Michael Blake asked all department heads to examine the charges to make sure they generate enough to pay for various city programs and departments. First reading of the fee schedule was Dec. 16.
     Water and sewer rate increases go into effect Jan. 1. Sanitation rates rise March 1.
     Water rates will rise by 3 percent, sewer rates by 2.5 and garbage by 2.3 percent, said Craig Attwood, city clerk.
     A customer now paying $80.60 per month for utilities would pay $82.81 under the new rates, Attwood told the council Dec. 16.
     Utility increases were included in the 2009 budget, which was approved by the council Dec. 2.
     Attwood said he used an average increase in the minimum wage of 6 percent for the past few years to figure new pool fees.
     A complete list of fees and rates is available at city hall.