The city is calling on the increase to help pay for increasing debt totaling more than $40,000. While it's expected to rise in the coming year, Mayor Sue Simonetti said, while the increase may not be popular it is needed.

Simonetti went on to say that there has not been a rate increase since 2005 and costs have gone up. She added that right now, Wellsburg is operating in a deficit.

City leaders said if they can't pay this debt, there is a good chance that the state could come in and take over. This would mean, the state would set the rates. Right now the average rate increase is expected to total between $6 and $11 more a month.