The Rome City Commission will likely raise water rates by about 12 percent at its meeting tonight.

The full commission must agree to the resolution, which was recommended by the Water and Sewer committee Tuesday, for it to take effect July 1.

The pressure for a rate change comes after Rome lost its largest water and sewer customer early this year. The city expects to lose $1 million in water revenues because of Mohawk Carpet closing its dying operation.

Since the water department is a separate utility, it must balance its books without aid from city taxpayers. City Manager John Bennett said along with the rate hike, the department is taking cost-cutting measures.

An average family uses about 6,000 gallons of water each month, producing a bill of $43.30.

Under the new rate increases, this family’s bill would increase about $5 to $48.39.

Also at the meeting, the sidewalk café ordinance will be put on first reading.

The ordinance will allow restaurant patrons to enjoy alcoholic beverages at sidewalk cafés.

It also sets strict parameters about how cafés can look and their setback from the street.

In other business:

* A public hearing will be held for a zoning issue that has been brought back to the commission by a judge’s order. Earlier this year the commission denied a rezoning request for a South Rome meat packing plant.

The plant that was zoned industrial for more than 50 years was rezoned in 2001 to residential. When the owner looked to make modifications he was not allowed to because of the zoning.

When the commission refused to rezone the property, Curtis Packing Company filed suit against Rome trying to force the change. As a compromise, and to avoid litigation, a judge ordered the commission hear it again. If the commission votes against the project again, the litigation is expected to restart.