CHOCOWINITY — The Town of Chocowinity recently passed its almost $2.3 million budget, a figure that includes expansion of its water and sewer system to make way for future growth.

The 2016-2017 budget is similar to previous years, but there are a few changes that will affect the residents of the town, according to Jimmy Mobley, Chocowinity mayor.

The town will cut costs through its garbage pickup. Currently, the town collects garbage twice per week, but as of Jan. 1, 2017, collection will be once per week, according to Mobley.

Mobley said in-town sewer rates will go up $5.50 per month, and out-of-town sewer rates will go up $11. In-town water service flat rates will go up $1.75 per month, while out-of-town rates will go up $3.50. The flow rate, or charge per gallons used by a customer, will remain the same: zero to 4,000 gallons will still cost $2 per 1,000 gallons in town; $2.25 per 1,000 gallons for out-of-town customers. Once a customer breaks the 4,000-gallon limit, the flow rate will increase slightly, Mobley said.

“Having said that, the people outside of town, they have no debt service,” Mobley added, “meaning they’re not charged property tax or any kind of tax at all. It’s mighty cheap compared to other towns. We just try to look to the future and try not to go up a lot. This should hold us for the next four to five years, so we won’t have to go up on our rates anymore. That’s our plan, anyway. If people realize when we go up, (the rates) go up for us too. We try to keep the rates down for everybody.”

Other than the $350,000 the town pays to the City of Washington for sewer treatment, the largest budget allocation will go toward sewer expansion, costing just under $122,000, Mobley said.

Mobley said the town has met that projected growth over the past decade or more, including added revenue with services to Southside High School, Cypress Landing and other outlying entities that generate revenue through its services. The town is continuing to maintain and expand the services it provides to the Chocowinity Township, including water and sewer, the police department’s services and garbage collection.