DILLON — Dillon's water and sewer costs aren't covered by its revenues, so council members tentatively approved rate hikes at Tuesday's town meeting. To make the rate change official, a second approval is needed.

Town manager Devin Granbery said council will take a second look at the proposal and host public comment during the March 16 town meeting — it starts at 6 p.m.

Dillon's town staff say they need to increase rates to maintain the water and sewer fund into the future. This includes funding for operation, maintenance and capital projects.

Town treasurer Carrie McDonald said that necessary capital improvements — like a water storage tank, the Old Dillon Reservoir and “membrane replacement” at the treatment plant — have been put off because they town simply can't afford it now.

A rate study was recently completed by consultants from Red Oak to address these issue, and it's now available at Dillon's town website.

For more information about Dillon's water and sewer study, as well as proposed rate increases, visit http://bit.ly/aNPtmO or www.townofdillon.com.

Caitlin Row can be reached at (970) 668-4633 or at crow@summitdaily.com.