Facing mandates from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Steubenville city council decided upon a utility bill increase of 15 percent, or about $16.77 a month.

The announcement comes after a water crisis in January left downtown without water for more than a week and water lines in need of millions of dollars in repairs.

Council is planning two town hall meetings where questions will be answered. The first will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday at Steubenville Big Red and the other will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Eastern Gateway.