Published: April 08, 2009 08:35 pm      

Catlin board raises water, sewer rates

CATLIN — Residents will pay more for water and sewer in town soon, as the village board raised rates Tuesday.

Commissioners raised both rates that will take effect May 1 for customers in town. They said the water rate hike is needed due to a 15 percent increase that came from water supplier Aqua Illinois in September, while the raise to the flat sewer fee is needed for continuing improvements to village sewer lines and the wastewater treatment plant.

Officials said other raises from Aqua Illinois have occurred, but have not been passed onto residents. Also, they said sewer rates have not been increased for many years, but they could no longer keep absorbing losses and stay financially sound.

Water rates were last raised in the village in 2005.

“We can’t swallow it anymore,” said Commissioner Barry Voorhees. “We’re going to have to start passing it on.”

Currently, Catlin customers pay a minimum bi-monthly bill of $41.32, for up to 2,000 gallons of water each month. That minimum bill will increase to $46.40 when the new rates take effect in May.

Sewer rates also increased from $3.45 per 1,000 gallons of water used to $3.97.

Customers using more water receive a price-break depending on the gallons they use, based on a sliding-scale system.

While the increases are effective with water being consumed May 1, customers will begin to see it reflected on their July and August bills.

In other business, commissioners:

-- Paid the village’s portion of the Webster Street Bridge project, which was 10 percent of the total $1.29 million cost. Catlin paid its $128,855 share of the job, with the rest of the bill being footed by the county, state and federal government.

The project changed the grade of the road, widened it and took out the curve, which improved the line of sight for drivers. The bridge also was raised and a sidewalk was added.

-- Approved a purchase agreement for a new printer for the village office from DTI Office Solutions of Danville for $111 a month for 5 years. The machine performs all functions for the office, including printing water bills, faxing and copying.

The printer will be owned by the village once the payment terms are complete.

-- Donated $1,000 to the Catlin Summer Recreation program and $1,500 to the Catlin Summer Youth League.

-- Set the annual clean-up days for June 10 and June 24. Items will need to be placed only on main street curbs in town this year, not in alleys. Fliers will be sent to every resident detailing which day pick-up will occur on their half of town.

-- Heard a rabies clinic for cats and dogs will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. April 18 at Catlin Park.

What’s Next

The Catlin Village Board will hold a budget hearing at the start of the next regular meeting at 7 p.m. April 21.