A public hearing will be early next month on a proposed 6-percent utility tax to Langley water users who live outside the city limits, the Langley City Council confirmed Monday night.

The hearing will be at the next council meeting, 6:30 p.m. May 3 at city hall on Second Street. Second reading of the proposal is scheduled for the following meeting on May 17.

Water users inside the city already are paying the 6-percent utility tax, designed to provide revenue to help pay for fire-related services such as hydrants, storage, pumping and water mains.

Because 165 city water customers who live outside the city also receive water for fire protection, they should also pay the tax, according to a recommendation by the council’s finance committee.