FERNDALE - The city of Ferndale has raised some of its water and sewer fees for 2013.

The six-week-late fee for the combined water-and-sewer bill will increase from $15 to $25 next year. Also, the fee to turn on or shut off city water at the meter goes from $40 to $50, to better reflect the cost to the city, said Finance Director Mark Peterson.

In addition, water and sewer connection fees will have automatic cost-of-living increases of 2.3 percent.

And the fee structure has changed for encroachment permits, which are required for construction on city right-of-way along streets. There is no longer a discount for cable and telephone companies, or other businesses that have right-of-way franchise agreements with Ferndale. The fee is $200 for all encroachment permits in 2013.

Reach RALPH SCHWARTZ at ralph.schwartz@bellinghamherald.com or call 360-715-2289. Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.