MENDOTA – Residents of Mendota will have to dig a little deeper in their pockets after the Mendota City Council approved rate increases to several city services at its regular meeting on June 4.

Alderman Walt Weiland announced that Republic Services was awarded a new seven-year contract for waste disposal and trash pickup in Mendota, and with it will be a sizeable increase in the monthly fee charged to city residents. The current rate of $12.75 per month will go up to $17.15 per month beginning Aug. 1.

Also, the city council voted to approve an increase in the sewer rate. The current rate, which has been in place since 1999, is $10. The new fee will be $11 effective Aug. 1. In addition, there will be a charge of $4.30 per 100 cubic feet used.

Finally, the rental deposit fee will go from $125 to $150.

In other action from Weiland’s report, the council discussed a request for a proposed dog park in Mendota. After brief discussion, the council voted as to whether it would sponsor the dog park and the measure was defeated, 5-2. Weiland emphasized that even though the city will not sponsor a dog park, it does not mean the dog park could not someday become a reality.

Alderman John Pierson presented a zoning variance request from Mike Minnick of 912 Meriden St. Pierson said Minnick would like to remove an existing garage and construct a larger building. The current garage is very near the lot line now, and the larger garage would be even closer. Pierson recommended that the variance not be allowed, and the rest of the council concurred.

In an item from Mayor David Boelk, the council approved a permit request from Jennifer Laukaitis of Jen’s Dairy Barn to hold cruise nights on Sunday, July 8; Sunday, Sept 16; and Sunday, Oct. 14 from 1-6 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Mendota City Council will be Monday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m.