Members of the Ellsworth City Council hope to consider a draft ordinance at their Dec. 28 meeting that would add a $3 fee to water bills for curb and gutter improvements.

City administrator Rusty Varnado said the fee would raise $40,000 and residents he has talked with are supportive of the plan.

Mayor Mark Kennedy raised the possibility of the fee as part of the city’s detention pond project in north Ellsworth. The council has talked about the additional charge at previous meetings.

“I think we might as well get it off the ground,” said council member Wayne Scritchfield.

In other business, Sarah and Clint Freeman, who own the car wash in east Ellsworth, asked the city to review their water bill.

Sarah Freeman said the business spends about $2,000 a month for between 100,000 and 130,000 gallons of water. She suggested the city consider replacing the car wash’s two-inch water line with a three-inch line, which offers a different rate.

At the present water rate, Sarah Freeman said she wasn’t sure how much longer the business could continue.

Council member Steve Magette suggested Varnado research options and present them at the Dec. 28 meeting. The council agreed by consensus.