AHOSKIE – While Ahoskie’s tax rate (77 cents per $1,000 of valuation) will remain unchanged for the upcoming fiscal year, there are increases in certain service fees.

On Tuesday, the Ahoskie Town Council approved the 2008-09 budget, holding the current tax rate while raising the following fees:

Water Tap: from $600 to $650. Additionally, the charge for a water meter increased from $85 to $155 while the cost of a water meter box was upped to $160 (from $125).

Sewer Tap (4” line): from $475 to $600.

Monthly Water Rate: from $5.75 to $6.60 per 1,000 gallons. The new rate reflects a $3 monthly flat fee plus $3.60 per 1,000 gallons.

Monthly Sewer Rate: from $9.35 to $12.35 per 1,000 gallons. The new rate reflects a monthly $6 flat fee plus $6.35 per 1,000 gallons.

Commercial Garbage Collection: a new rate of $30 per month/per container (from $24).

Hay (cut from wastewater plant spray fields): $2.25 per bale (from $1.50).

(Sewage) Pump and Haul companies: a hike of $10 per load (from $25 to $35) for using the lagoon at Ahoskie’s wastewater treatment plant.