BUTTE, MT — A 10 percent increase in water utility rates has business owners and residents upset, and some made their voices heard during a county commission meeting, abcmontana.com reported.

The Aug. 22 story stated that Rick Galasso, owner of Auto Magic Quick Lube and Car Wash, let the commissioners know that an increase in water rates would have a major affect on his business. Auto Magic is the only hand carwash in Butte.

“A lot of times, in Butte, eight dollars is a lot of money,” Galasso said in the story. “We hope that a rate increase and a price increase won’t discourage them from doing what they do, and using our facilities.”

The money from higher rates would go toward maintaining a strong water system infrastructure, according to the story.

A formal vote will be held by the commissioners about the proposed increase in the coming weeks. The council meeting held last week was a public hearing about the issue.