The Charleston City Council Tuesday is scheduled to appoint a new city manager, who will take over May 6.

Originally, the city had 48 applicants for the position. From there the screening committee narrowed the applicants down to four. The final candidate interviewed Feb. 17.

A new manager has been needed since former City Manager Bill Riebe left the position in December. The position is being filled in the interim by Dean Barber, who is the director of public works.

The council will also be discussing a proposed ordinance that would increase sewer and water rates by 2 percent. The last time the council raised the rates by a large amount, Mayor Dan Cougill said, was about 15 years ago. Four years ago, he added, the council adopted that it would raise rates by about 2 percent each year instead of having one huge increase every 15 years.

“It’s not a phenomenal amount,” Cougill said.

Tied in with that, the council will also be debating another ordinance that would authorize them to increase the rate of bulk water from $1.50 to $2.00 per 250 gallons.

The council may also authorize the closure of Jackson Avenue between Sixth and Seventh Street on April 11, between 5:30 and 9 p.m. for a candle-light ceremony for an event to raise awareness of child abuse.

Court Appointed Special Advocate is sponsoring the event. CASA looks after children who have been abused or under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system.

“It’s a good program,” Cougill said.

One of the Coles County judges is very involved with the program, Cougill said.

“It provides positive role models, he said. “It’s tied in with National Child Abuse and Awareness Month.”

In addition, the council is scheduled to make a motion to approve the city budget for the fiscal year that will begin May 1, 2002 and will end April 30, 2003.