QUINNESEC — Water and sewer customers in Quinnesec and East Kingsford will see their rates increase with the first billing cycle of 2018.

The Breitung Township Board on Monday agreed to raise all rates by 2 percent, to account for the annual cost of living adjustment, then add additional increases by area.

Quinnesec water customers will pay an extra 5 percent to help cover the long-term infrastructure needs of the system, which is maintained solely by the township.

East Kingsford water customers will pay an extra 3 percent to help offset the 6 percent rate increase from the city of Kingsford, which provides water to the township for that area. The board decided not to impose a 6 percent increase all at once, but to divide it between 2018 and 2019.

Businesses in the East Kingsford commercial area east of Walmart won’t pay anything extra for water on top of the cost of living adjustment, but will pay an extra 10 percent for sewer to account for the lack of a cost of living adjustment in the past several years and to address some capital needs. The township buys water and sewer service from the city of Iron Mountain for that area.

Sewer rates for the White Birch Village area simply will be twice the rate the township pays.

In other business, the board:

— Heard public comment from several residents on the proposed 2018 township budget, particularly on township employee raises.

Ernie Luri of Quinnesec said he saw nothing wrong with a reasonable cost of living adjustment, but he didn’t understand why a 5 percent raise was considered for the township superintendent.

If any salary increases are done, they should be the same for all township employees, Quinnesec resident Rita Luri said.

Residents looking to compare Breitung Township’s pay rates to those of similar municipalities should look at Chocolay Township in Marquette County, Township Clerk Samantha Neuens said, noting the superintendent and deputy clerk in that township are paid more per year than their counterparts in Breitung.

The board will consider adopting the 2018 budget at its Dec. 27 meeting.

— Allowed the local Marine Corps League to host a Feeding America mobile food pantry at the township’s Department of Public Works building in Quinnesec on Jan. 12. Veterans will have first preference before the general population.

— Supported the Long Riders Motorcycle Club’s application for a charitable gaming license for its Spring Fling Party, where it plans to have drawings for a generator, television, gun and cash. Proceeds go toward the club’s charities that include veterans’ services, the Bay Cliff Health Camp and the annual Toy Run.

— Set the 2018 meeting schedule. The board will continue to meet at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. Exceptions are April, when the board will only meet once on the second Monday; May, when the board will meet on the Tuesday after Memorial Day; and December, when the board will meet on the Wednesday after Christmas.

— Renewed for one year the township’s liability and property insurance with the Michigan Municipal League at a cost of $30,745, an increase of 4.13 percent from the current year.

— Adopted a policy to clarify the township’s ordinance on water service lines to include materials used for pipes as well as pipe lengths and depths.

— Accepted resignations from two township firefighters and removed another three from the roster.

— Allowed board members and the superintendent to attend the Michigan Townships Association’s Capitol Conference and Legislative Advocacy Session on Jan. 31 in Lansing. The township will cover the cost of registration, mileage, lodging, meals and per diems for trustees.

— Allowed board members and the superintendent to attend the Michigan Townships Association’s annual conference April 23 through 26 in Traverse City, Mich. The township will cover the cost of registration, mileage, tolls, parking, lodging, per diems for trustees and expenses for other board members.