Despite expressions of concern by Middleburg citizens, including former Town Council Member Eura Lewis, Council approved rate increases designed to boost revenues from the Town's water and sewer operations by some 6%.

The increases will be reviewed in early 2013.

The town has hired an outside consultant, the Municipal & Financial Services Group, to help develop rates for a new, every-other-month billing system which should help with collections of money due.

Another factor affecting rates will be the impact of water and sewer use after the much anticipated opening of the Salamander Inn and Spa.