A proposed increase of the city’s sewer rates evaporated on Monday, leaving Kenosha Water Utility users with less than half of the originally proposed rate increase for 2010.

The Board of Water Commissioners rejected a proposal to raise sewer rates in the city by 3.8 percent in 2010.

The board accounted for the projected loss of $320,000 in revenue in 2010 from that rate increase by moving the purchase of a $300,000 replacement sewer-flushing truck next year to the 2011 budget.

The board, however, retained the proposed 3.8 percent increase in water rates for 2010. Ed St. Peter, general manager for the Kenosha Water Utility, said the lack of a sewer rate increase would mean that the average water bill would likely increase by 1.7 percent next year.

The average city household, which uses about 7,480 gallons of water a month, could expect a monthly sewer and water bill of about $44.91 next year, a 75-cent increase from a 2009 average of $44.16. Water and sewer rates rose by 3 percent this year.

Alderman Anthony Nudo suggested moving back the truck purchase to eliminate the sewer rate increase.

“I think we can hold off on this just as a lot of citizens are holding off on their purchases now,” Nudo said.Alderman G. John Ruffolo said the Kenosha Water Utility did a good job in keeping its budget down — the utility’s proposed 2010 budget weighs in at about $1 million less than the approved 2009 budget — but this move could assist the city’s residents.

“The water utility has always been fiscally responsible ... but unfortunately we have to cut somewhere,” Ruffolo said.

St. Peter said the flushing truck to be replaced is 10 years old, but the utility could wait a year.

“With putting it off, we’ll be fine,” St. Peter said.

The board unanimously approved the 2010 budget and the 3.8 percent water rate increase.

St. Peter said he expects the average price of the city’s water bills to still be in the lowest 5 percent of the state’s municipalities.