Royal, IA (KICD)– The City of Royal is continuing to explore the idea of turning its water system over to Iowa Lakes Regional Water with a public meeting on the matter being held on Wednesday.

The conversation on making the change began some time ago during a conversation that Mayor Josh Toft says was looking at some more routine maintenance.

Toft says one of the big perks so-to-speak on the proposal with Iowa Lakes Regional Water taking over the system is that the city would not be responsible for continuing to repair aging infrastructure.

The big concern presented by members of the public is a proposed rate increase that would most likely double what customers are paying now in Royal, but Toft notes going this route would also eliminate a hefty “reconnection ” fee to continue receiving water as is from Iowa Lakes Regional Water when the current 40-year contract expires in four years.

After more than an hour of discussion on Wednesday the matter was essentially tabled to next month to allow the city time to have legal counsel review the proposal.