Parkersburg City Council President John Rockhold calls for a vote on the proposed city budget.

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg Utility Board officials met with city council Tuesday to outline their rationale behind a proposed water rate hike. While at least one council member seemed resigned to the rate hike, another remained opposed, while a third said there was still some work to be done. The utility board’s bond attorney said the city, ultimately, may not have a choice. “The board has brought this to council to take care of this either now or in six months,” John Stump, PUB bond attorney from Steptoe & Johnson, told council. “Doing it now avoids the black mark and does impact the city’s credit history.” Utility Board manager Eric Bennett and Stump fielded questions from council regarding a possible water rate hike. The proposal amounts to an overall increase of $11.19 over three years. According to the proposal, customer water rates would increase $6.13 the first year, increase $3.25 the second year and rise by $1.81 the third year.