The Elma City Council voted on Monday to approve a requested rate increase from Harold LeMay Enterprises Inc.

With Councilman Charles Butterfield granted an excused absense, the council voted unanimously to approve the 2.79 percent increase for next year. Customers will be notified directly before the increase goes into effect.

Mayor Jim Sorensen said the increase was in line with the contract between LeMay and the city. The contract allows for an increase of 80 percent of the Consumer Price Index.

Speaking on behalf of LeMay, Delroy Cox, of JDEL Consulting LLC, said the rate increase also took into account an increase of costs for use of the central transfer station that the county placed on LeMay. Those rates went from $101 per ton to $104.85 per ton.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the rate increase.