Residents in many communities surrounding Lawrence will see their monthly bills for natural gas rise by an average of $5.83 a month beginning next year under a rate settlement announced Friday.

Kansas Gas Service received approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission to boost rates enough to collect another $52 million next year. The new rates will take effect on bills for gas provided beginning Jan. 1.

The utility provides natural gas in several Lawrence-area communities, including Baldwin, Edgerton, Gardner, Lansing, Leavenworth, Lecompton, Ottawa, Ozawkie, Perry, Tonganoxie and Wellsville.

The negotiated settlement between the company and the commission was reached Oct. 26, and its approval comes after the utility had asked for higher rates to generate another $73.3 million in annual revenue. That request, which would have added $7.65 to the typical residential customer’s monthly bill, was filed in May.

In May, Kansas Gas Service said it needed to boost rates to cover rising costs, including the $170 million it had spent upgrading equipment serving its 642,000 customers in Kansas.

In the settlement, the utility agreed to withdraw its request for a new two-tier rate design.