IRON MOUNTAIN — A proposed budget from the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Joint Sewage Authority calls for an increase of $1.30 per thousand cubic feet, which on the low end will add about 65 cents per month to a residential water bill, Iron Mountain City Manager Jordan Stanchina said.

During a city council meeting Monday, Stanchina noted the city is budgeting for higher charges as well. “I can guarantee we’re going to put some more on that,” he said.

Iron Mountain’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget is under study and a public hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 19.

Water usage of 1,000 cubic feet equates to 7,480 gallons. Each American uses an estimated 82 gallons of water a day at home, which is about 2,500 gallons a month, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The sewage authority oversees the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Wastewater Treatment Plant on the Menominee River in Breitung Township. An estimated usage of nearly 322 million gallons was used to determine the proposed rate increase, said Jim Lieburn, plant superintendent.

Water usage from Iron Mountain decreased slightly last year, while usage from Kingsford was up slightly, he said.

In other action Monday, the Iron Mountain council:

— Announced that a spring rubbish dropoff will be held in front of the public works building from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 14; 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15; and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17. Detailed information is available on the city’s Facebook page.

Also, a city-wide collection of leaves will begin Monday.

— Learned that Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain will begin reconstruction Monday of a century-old retaining wall on West Ludington Street. Bacco was awarded a $399,155 contract in February to place a precast concrete wall at the bottom of the existing wall between South Pine and Forest streets. Any wall above the 3-foot, 6-inch height of the new wall will be removed and a sewer line that runs within it will be relocated. Coleman Engineering Co. of Iron Mountain will be paid up to $24,000 to provide construction inspection services.

— Noted the water department will flush hydrants from Monday, May 5, through Thursday, May 8. Some areas may experience low water pressure and/or discoloration during this time. The work will start on the north end of the city.