If you live in the city of Lyons, you may see an increase in your water and sewer bill in a few months. Lyons Mayor Willis Nesmith says it has been about 5 years ago since there was an increase.

The City of Lyons has recently upgraded it and applied for a grant and was told the city’s water and sewer rates were too low. The City then applied for a Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) loan. Mayor Nesmith said originally it was believed the work to upgrade the system would be more than $7 million, but the project came in under bid. Now the City wants to make its Sewer and Water Department self-sufficient as most other cities have done plus an increase in the rate would allow the City of Lyons to bank savings that would allows them to pay the loan off long before its 30-year maturity date.

Mayor Nesmith said with the slight increase in the cost of the service to city residents, in the future there could be a reduction in the charges or at minimum, allow for a long-term freeze on rates.

But before the rates increase around June or July, Lyons citizens have an opportunity to express their concerns at a public hearing on April 6 at 5:30 in the Council Chamber. That public hearing will convene prior to regular monthly city Council meeting at 6:00.