A proposed increase on water and sewer of approximately 5 percent was discussed during the Farmville Town Council work session Wednesday.

The increases are proposed to come to an average of $1.19 each month for in-town rates and an average of $1.78 each month for out of town rates, Town Treasurer Carol Anne Seal confirmed.

The proposed montly rates are for those who use 1,500 or fewer gallons of water.

Ward E councilmember J. J. “Jamie” Davis presented the proposed water and sewer rates and noted that the rates would continue to be low compared with rates of towns Farmville’s size.

“It’s been quite a few years since we have had any increases,” Davis said. “We are well below the average for our town for the quantity of users we have.”

Town Manager Gerald Spates confirmed after the meeting that the rates, for both residential and businesses, would come to an approximate 5-percent increase across the board.

Other items in the budget included five-year notes for purchasing four police vehicles at a proposed cost of approximately $180,000; purchasing cameras at town intersections at a proposed cost of approximately $21,297; and purchasing golf equipment for the Farmville Municipal Golf Course at a proposed cost of $110,000.

A 3-percent salary increase for full-time town employees due to a increase in insurance costs and approximately $300,000 to finance software/computers has also been proposed.

The software/computers item would be proposed under a 10-year note, with a five-year fixed rate of 4.50 percent, which councilmembers would later re-evaluate for the remaining five years.

Davis said this item would allow the town to keep up technologically.

“Knowing that software changes so rapidly as well as computer systems that it’s something we really need to upgrade,” Davis said.

Cole suggested allocating funds for playground equipment at Haynes Park, located at the end of North Virginia Street.

Cole said the effort to bring playground equipment to the town has begun with the Farmville Lions Club. He said the equipment at Haynes Park would appeal to children between 7-12 years old.

He said having playground equipment at the park had been a top request by participants in a recent recreation study by the town.

Following a discussion by the council, approximately $40,000 is expected to be allocated to the equipment.

Spates confirmed that the budget will be discussed during the May 9 town council meeting, where it’s expected to be referred for a public hearing.