The Manhattan City Commission will meet at 5 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the annual revenue survey and a proposed change to the City's water rates.

First on the agenda, the Commission will review the annual revenue survey to help in the formation of the 2011 budget for the city.

According to the survey, "Early indicators from the closing of the 2009 budget suggest that the City's financial position is adequate but with warning signs that deterioration is occurring."

Sales tax collections declined in 2009 by 1.3 percent from the previous year.

The commission will focus on a review of the City's General Fund revenues, which covers 80 percent of City employees.

The second item scheduled for discussion is the City's water rate structure. Under the current rate structure, the more water a citizen or company uses, the lower the rate for the water.

"We have a system where you pay more for the first gallon than the last," said Mayor Bob Strawn. "Some of the largest consumers are not even covering the cost of production, and we are trying to fix that."

Strawn also said K-State is one of the biggest consumers of the City's water supply.

The commission will be reviewing a recommendation by the City Administration to gradually change the current water rate structure. The change would propose to have the cost of producing water covered by the largest users.

Tonight's meeting will be for informational purposes only, and no motions are expected to be voted upon.

Citizens are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will be televised on local Cable channel 3. A live feed of the meeting will also be available on the City of Manhattan's Web site at ci.manhattan.ks.us.