MT. VERNON – The Mt. Vernon City Council approved a resolution at its regular meeting Tuesday that will increase water rates for area villages.

The council approved a 4.63 percent rate increase for the villages of Woodlawn, Bluford, Belle Rive, and Waltonville, along with Dix-Kell Water Commission and Northeast Water Company.

The rate increase will go into effect May 1. It comes as the Rend Lake Conservancy District is expected to increase its rates to the City of Mt. Vernon.