BENSON - Residents here, like their neighbors in several other Johnston towns, could be looking at higher water and sewer bills when the new fiscal year starts in July.

Town Manager Keith Langdon is proposing a 5-percent increase in water rates and a 15-percent increase in sewer rates. The water increase reflects an identical rate increase in Dunn, which provides much of Benson's water, Langdon said. The sewer hike would get that rate closer in line with actual costs, he said.

But not all revenue from the charges would go toward keeping the taps flowing and the toilets flushing. Langdon is proposing that $30,000 from the water and sewer fund go into a capital fund that would help pay for upkeep of town-owned buildings. Langdon also wants to transfer about $75,000 in electricity revenue into that fund.

Langdon said that some town buildings relate to utility service. Also, "as a rule, you have more available funds [in water and sewer] than in the general fund," he said.

Under the proposed budget, transfers from the water and sewer fund to other funds would increase by $40,000, to $260,000. That figure fluctuates from year to year to stay within the percentage recommended by the Local Government Commission.

Overall, Langdon's $9.98 million budget proposal is less tight than last year's, allowing the town to reinstate a 2 percent cost-of-living raise for its employees.

The budget also calls for several new equipment purchases, including two police cars, a pickup truck for animal control and a mower for public works.

The budget does not include new positions, though it does maintain a part-time Museum of Local History job that has been open since it was created last year. Also, the downtown revitilization officer would remain a part-time post. Ben Murphrey, who holds the job, resigned from a full-time role in December but has stayed on part-time.