The Iowa City City Council approved the first consideration of an ordinance Tuesday night increasing storm-water utility fees.

The increases for single family and multifamily residences would be 50 cents and 25 cents per month, respectively. According to the proposal, nonresidential units would see a 50-cent increase for the base rate and a 25-cent increase on the multiplying equivalent residential unit rate per month.

This would only be the second storm-water utility fee increase since the Public Works Department established the fee in June 2004.

The city councilors approved the first consideration on a 6-0 vote.

— by Kristen East