Village council members are discussing raising sewer rates, but for most business and residential customers, they might pay less than they did earlier this year.

In a narrow vote, St, Paris village council members recently eliminated a flat sewer assessment fee that paid for repairs and capital improvement costs at the village’s wastewater treatment facility.

Now council members are discussing legislation that if approved, would raise sewer rates by about $2.20 per 1,000 gallons on residential sewer bills. Residents now pay about $5.15 for every thousand gallons of wastewater used, and that rate would increase to $7.35.

The proposed change will be discussed at least twice more before council members vote on it, Village Administrator Joe Sampson said.

Under the proposal, most residential customers would save money, Sampson said. The previous assessment that was taken off the books cost residents a flat fee of $11 a month for residents, about $20 a month for small businesses and $75 a month for larger industrial facilities.

Under the new proposal, residents would have to use about 5,000 gallons to reach that $11 rate.

Sampson said of the nearly 700 bills the village sent out last month, about 470 of the village’s customers used fewer than 5,000 gallons, so those bills will shrink even with the proposed rate increase. About 79 customers used about 5,000 gallons, and their rates would stay the same under the proposal. About 147 customers used more than 5,000 gallons, Sampson said, and their rates would increase slightly.

Separate legislation would also create a capital improvement fund, which the village would use to set aside money for repairs and upgrades needed at the wastewater treatment facility. When payments are collected, the village would set aside $12,000 each month to pay for maintenance and upgrades at the facility.

Many residents didn’t like the flat assessment, Sampson said, but the new proposal would be fairer because it is based on usage.

“They’re going to be paying less than what they have in the past,” Sampson said of most residents.