PICKENS — Starting Jan. 1, residents within the city limits of Pickens will face an increase in water and garbage collection rates.

Water rates will go up by $2, and that money will be set aside in a special fund to help pay for the water plant rehabilitation, which will now be done in phases, according to

Councilman Fletcher Perry, who recommended the rate increase on behalf of the city’s finance committee.

City Council voted unanimously Monday night in favor of the increase, with Councilman Connie Bowers absent.

Council also approved an increase in garbage collection fees.

Councilman Jason Cassell made the recommendation, which came from the Street and Sanitation Committee, to raise the rate from $5 per month to $7.50 per month, also effective Jan. 1.

Cassell told council that a recent study showed it is costing the city $109 per year, per household to provide garbage collection.

Mayor David Owens said the new rate was still a lot cheaper than residents could get the service through a private contractor.

Council also voted to double the garbage collection fees for the four schools in the city – from $200 per month per school to $400 per month, per school.

Michael Tate, who heads up the street and sanitation department said the city collects 1 ton of garbage per day from the schools, which costs the city $35 per day to dispose.

This rate increase will also go into effect at the beginning of the year.

Cassell also reported that the city is considering the idea of discontinuing the pickup of large items that have to go to the county C&D landfill.

“It’s a lot of cost to the city to drive that big truck around with only a little bit of collections,” he said.