Ringgold residents and businesses wanting sewer service will have to pay higher fees after a Monday council meeting.

Ringgold City Council voted unanimously Jan. 27 to raise sewer tap-on fees to $600 per tap, up from $455.

The move came on the heels of a discussion whether special consideration should be made for multi-unit developers.

Multi-units include apartments and duplexes. For example, if a new apartment complex has 30 units, then the owner or developer would pay for 30 separate taps.

City Manager Dan Wright pointed out to council members that tap fees should not only cover the cost of installation, but also how many gallons of sewage flow through the system for each customer.

At present the tap fee does not cover the cost for capacity used, he said.

Councilman Bill McMillon said the rate should be more in the range of $800, while Wright suggested the council compare the service to the installation of a septic tank, which he said is $1,500 mimimum.

Councilman Petty made the motion to increase the fees. Vice Mayor G. Larry Black seconded.

In other business:

* Council voted unanimously to accept a planning and zoning recommendation to approve the final plat of Woodchuck Estates, to be located off U.S. 41 at Elm Lane. Councilman Bill McMillon made the motion. Councilman O.C. Adcock seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to spend up to $1,300 to bring electrical boxes in the Depot up to current codes. Adcock made the motion. Councilman J.B. Petty seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to discuss instituting building facade regulations beyond the historic district. McMillon made the motion. Adcock seconded.

* Council unanimously found Marlene Scoggins’ clean-up efforts for her property at 64 County Road to be satisfactory. Petty made the motion. Vice mayor G. Larry Black seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to approve a revision to the clean-up ordinance that would put its enforcement powers to the Ringgold Police Department. McMillon made the motion. Council member Martha Denton seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to award a contract to Willard Wilson to finish sidewalks on Lafayette Street at 70 cents per square foot. Petty made the motion. Black seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to purchase a sewer-tapping machine for $2,800. Adcock made the motion. Black seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to purchase two salt spreaders for $1,600 each. McMillon made the motion. Black seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution of support for a study to be conducted to determine the best routing for a Ringgold bypass.

* Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution to respond to the needs of the Georgia Department of Transportation during the relocation of a road and bridge on Industrial Boulevard. Black made the motion. Petty seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to not currently provide funding for the Gen. Patrick Cleburne statue to be located at the wayside park south of Ringgold on U.S. 41. McMillon made the motion. Black seconded.

* Council voted unanimously to place curbing around the triangle at Kittle Street and Ooltewah-Ringgold Road. McMillon made the motion.

* Council voted unanimously to purchase land and buildings located at 761 Sparks Street from Ringgold Telephone Company for $195,000. Adcock made the motion. Black seconded. City Manager Dan Wright said the site will be used for the Ringgold Public Works Department.

The next meeting of the Ringgold City Council is Feb. 10 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.