The City of Charleston will vote on its budget for the year at its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall.

Before the meeting, there will be a public hearing at 6:20 p.m. to consider the annual budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2018 and ending April 30, 2019.

Also at the meeting, council members will vote on an increase in sewer, water and ambulance rates.

According to the meeting’s agenda, Eastern would be charged $14.19 per 1,000 gallons, compared to the previous $13.64 per 1,000 gallons it was charged before.

All metered users of city water and sewer service besides Eastern will be charged $14.75 per 1,000 gallons or less on a monthly basis if the resolution passes.

Per the agenda, “it is necessary to increase the charges for said service in order to continue the provision of service.”

Regarding ambulance rates, base rates applicable to all calls for service to city residents, including full-time Eastern students, will be increased to $455 for basic life-support, $710 for advanced life support, $855 for advanced life support II and mileage at $13.00 per loaded mile.

Before, the base rates for service for Charleston residents was $437.66 for a basic life-support, $688.79 for advanced life support and $828.50 for advanced life support II with mileage at $12.63 per loaded mile.

According to the agenda, the fire department provides ambulance service beyond the city limits of Charleston, and the creation of this ambulance service is codified in Charleston City Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 2.

In other items is the authorization of tourism funds to the Colleges of Arts and Humanities for expenses related to Celebration: A Festival of the Arts.

About $1,500 has been requested for the festival, which starts on Friday and ends Sunday.

The News desk can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].