The Elma City Council voted on Monday to approve a requested rate increase from Harold LeMay Enterprises Inc.

With Councilman Charles Butterfield granted an excused absense, the Council voted unanimously to approve the 2.79 percent increase for next year. Customers will be notified directly before the increase goes into effect.

Mayor Jim Sorensen said the increase was in line with the contract between LeMay and the city. The contract allows for an increase of 80 percent of the Consumer Price Index.

Speaking on behalf of LeMay, Delroy Cox, of JDEL Consulting LLC, said the rate increase also took into account an increase of costs for use of the Central Transfer Station that the county placed on LeMay. Those rates went from $101 per ton to $104.85 per ton.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the rate increase.

Santa and machine guns

The Council also approved regulations regarding the use of its new drone. The Council chose the guidelines that did not provide for a “lethal or nonlethal payload.”

A couple jokes about flying machine guns were made, and the Council approved the regulations unanimously.

The drone likely will be used to survey potential damage from flooding or fires. It could also be used in marketing.

There was a presention about events at the Elma Timberland Regional Library. After which, Sorensen said that he had a request from Santa Claus that the elf would like to visit the library to do a reading. No word yet on when Mr. Claus will visit.

To reach Michael Lang, call 360-537-3936 or send email to mlang@thevidette.com.