JACKSON — A correction to the sewer rate increases for Willis Hare Elementary School and Northampton County High School-East has been approved by the Northampton County Board of Commissioners.

At their Monday meeting, the commissioners approved the correct sewer rates in a 3-1 vote.

Public Works Director Billy Martin brought the decision paper before the commissioners with the corrected sewer rates.

In July, the commissioners approved an increase from town of Conway for the two schools. The new rates for sewer treatment, reported by Martin, were $20.50 for the first 2,000 gallons as opposed to a previous rate of $19. The rate per 1,000 gallons after that was to be $12 instead of $8.

Martin said the rates he brought before the board in July were wrongly reported.

Instead, the town of Conway increased the rate for the two schools by $4 for the first 2,000 gallons.

Martin said the corrected rates are $23 for the first 2,000 gallons. After 2,000 gallons, the rate is set at $8 per 1,000 gallons.

According to information provided by Martin, the county has sewer treated from several surrounding towns and a sanitary district.

“At the present time the only way to offset these rate increases is to pass them on to the customers,” he said.

Commissioner Chester Deloatch asked if there was any way to get the sewer rates equal throughout the county.

Martin replied that the county cannot control what the towns set as their rate.

“When they go up on us, we go up on the customers,” he said.

Commission Vice Chair James Hester moved to approve the corrected rate increases; Commissioner Robert Carter offered a second.

The motion passed in a 3-1 vote with Deloatch objecting. Commissioner Virginia Spruill was absent for that portion of the meeting.