SUMMERDALE — Summerdale residents will soon pay a little more for their tap water.

That’s because during its regular meeting Monday, the Summerdale Town Council voted to increase water-bill rates for residents. The vote came after Summerdale Mayor David Wilson proposed the increase at last week’s Council work session, which is a $5 hike on the minimum payment for 2,000 gallons of water used per month and a 5-cent increase per 1,000 subsequent gallons. However, the rate increase does not include Summerdale’s commercial customers, which Wilson deemed “high” during last week’s work session.

At that work session, the mayor pointed out that the town’s last water-bill increase was in 2006, which was the final of a series of step-increases that the Council did not continue after that year.

As previously reported, this rate increase is intended to pay for a $310,000-bond issue designed to reduce the town’s water debt and to fund a new water-well, which is currently under construction north of its current counterpart on Davis.

The need for the new water-supply system came when testing of the original 10-year-old well indicated contaminants in the water supply. That prompted the town of Summerdale to shut down the well and begin purchasing water from Robertsdale and Riviera Utilities. But during Monday’s meeting, Vince Lucido of Krebs Architecture Engineering told the council that he estimated the new well to be operational by February, eliminating the need to continue those purchases.

During Monday’s meeting, the Council also approved the bond following an explanation of the paperwork involved in the issue by bond attorney Hayward Hosch.

“It puts it in a written form to make it more formal,” he told the Council, adding that it is beneficial for tax purposes.

In an interview after the meeting, Summerdale Town Clerk Tiffany Lynn explained that the increased residential water rates will go into effect with bills distributed at the end of this month.

Also Monday, the Summerdale Town Council:

Heard a Summerdale Police report, which included 89 misdemeanor cases closed in November.

Heard a Summerdale Volunteer Fire Department report, which included 31 calls answered in November.

Heard a report of the Marjorie Younce Snook Public Library, which included 1,210 attendees in November.

Discussed the upcoming retirement of John Resmondo from the Public Works Department.

Announced the date of the Summerdale Town Employee Christmas Meal, which is noon, Friday, Dec. 21, at Summerdale Town Hall. Steaks will be grilled and attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck side dish.