Erie Water Works customers will be looking at a 9% raise in their rates, or about $1.75 a month extra. It's due at least in part to October consumptions not meeting projections.

The Erie Water Authority met Thursday to go over its 2010 budget of some $29 million. The Authority is also anticipating some $11.2 million in debt, which accounts for about 38% of that overall budget.

Despite the increase, however, Vojtek was quick to add that Erie's rates are still lower than many other municipalities in the state. Locals we talked to, however, aren't buying it. They say between higher county taxes coming, the holidays, and the struggling economy, it's getting to be too much.

Meanwhile, Vojtek also says there's been no communication back from Millcreek Township Supervisors on the much talked about lease agreement for Erie to provide water to the township. These are only projections at this point; the Water Authority's budget won't be finalized until December.