A 3.5 percent increase in water rates was advanced by the Fort Dodge City Council Monday.

The council voted 5-1 to approve the second reading of the proposal. It must be approved once more in order to go into effect Jan. 1.

The increase is expected to add 75 cents to $3 to homeowners’ water bills each month.

Officials have said the increase is necessary to meet the increased costs of running the John W. Pray Water Treatment Plant, which was recently updated with the addition of a reverse osmosis system to reduce the hardness of the water.

Councilmembers Kim Alstott, Dave Flattery, Andy Fritz, Terry Moehnke, and Lydia Schuur voted in favor of the increase. Councilman Jeff Halter voted against it, saying the council chosen by the voters in the November election should make the decision. Councilman Neven Conrad was absent.

In other business, the council gave 4.98 acres of city-owned land between North First Street and the Des Moines River to Webster County. The property will be the site of a planned $5.5 million nature center to be operated by Webster County Conservation.

“I’m looking forward to seeing this on our riverfront,” Councilman Terry Moehnke said.

Architects are now working on the plans for it. County officials hope to seek bids from construction contractors early next year.

Conrad was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to transfer the property.