The Andrews Town Council will commission a rate study of the town's utility rates.

Steven Brock, of Therber, Brock and Associates, a municipal financial consulting firm, appeared at the council's Aug. 13 meeting to explain what a rate study entails and the services his firm would provide.

The council decided to commission a study by Brock's firm so that an accurate utility deposit fee could be determined and because Andrews has not had a rate study since done 1993, far longer than the 10-year interval Brock suggested as being standard.

Also during the meeting, the council reviewed and approved appropriation reductions to nine separate funds.

"Resolutions not to spend are put into place to allow the town to reduce its 2012 budget as it gets incorporated into the 18-month cycle for next year's budget," explains Clerk-Treasurer Bill Johnson. "By removing this line item, it reduces the amount of the levy and tax rate we have to apply to citizens for the year of 2013."

The council suggested to Town Marshal Van Juillerat that a town ordinance setting a $25 for people who are in the town park after 11 p.m. be more actively enforced. Council members said enforcement could discourage potential vandals from entering the park after hours in the future. Property in the park was recently defaced, which prompted the suggestion from the council.