By JIM BUTLER

The Ball Town Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday night at 7 on whether to alter how it sets wastewater rates.

To date, the town has increased rates each year on the basis of the Consumer Price Index-Urban Index.

Municipalities receiving federal grants for wastewater system work are required to annually adjust rates in order to recover costs.

Heretofore, the town has relied on the CPI but heard discussion at its January meeting about benefits of switching to an index created by the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

The town’s engineer, Tommy David, and auditor, Steven McKay, agreed the switch would likely be beneficial to rate adjustments.

NACWA projects indexing growth at 4-5 percent through 2027. Its index is composed of pricing consideration more subject-specific than the CPI measure.

Also in January the council amended city ordinances to award a 4 percent raise for all employees in lieu of a cost of living adjustment and to establish the town clerk’s pay rate at $21.80 hourly for hours worked.

That post is considered full-time. Any time beyond 40 hours is remunerated at 1.5 hours comp time for each hour worked.