HOBART | The cost to do business in Hobart will be slightly higher starting Aug. 1.

The City Council last week approved an across-the-board hike for all city permits, licensing and fees.

Under the new changes, most fees are raised 3 percent then rounded up to the next whole dollar amount.

For instance, the $5 fee to pick up accident reports at the Police Department will be rounded up to $6, officials said.

The City Council last month temporarily tabled the issue after agreeing to retype a three-page list of fees reflecting the rounded up cost.

City Councilman David Vinzant, D-4th, said the 3 percent increase by itself would make it a difficult transaction for city employees because of the whole issue of dealing with change due to odd dollar and cents amounts.

Vinzant, who heads the City Council Ordinance Committee, brought up the proposed fee boost two weeks ago to make up for such things as the annual cost-of-living increase and rising fuel expenses.

In some communities, city officials have placed an automatic fee increase that goes into effect each year.

That's already the case in Hobart when it comes to ambulance service fees, since an annual percentage has already been factored in, Vinzant said.

Increasing fees by a small amount was a suggestion the city received from Indiana Association of Cities and Towns officials, he said. The increase would help offset the projected loss in property tax revenue.