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Politics & Government

Council Explains Water Rate Increase, Continues to Discuss 2012 Budget

Water rates are expected to increase by approximately $1 million this year primarily because of City of Chicago rate hikes.

With few comments or questions, carried out the official public hearing for the proposed 2012 budget during its Tuesday night meeting.

Village Manager Dave Fieldman highlighted some of the budget changes in a short presentation—including the proposed water rate increase.

The village would like to increase revenues for the water fund by $1 million and the expenses will increase by the same amount due to the DuPage Water Commission (DWC) rate increases.

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The City of Chicago sells water to the DWC, which then sells water to the village. The village then sells the water to the residents and business owners.

The DWC will raise rates starting January 1. There are multiple reasons for the rate increase, but the biggest one is Chicago’s rate increase, according to Fieldman.

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The proposed rate increases for the village are 25 percent, 18 percent and 14 percent each year for the next four years, starting with 25 percent in 2012.

The village also plans to increase revenues and expenses by $250,000, which—in addition to $50,000 from other capital projects funds—will increase funding for a new sidewalk program by $300,000, Fieldman said. 

There were no comments or questions from the council members regarding the budget presentation. However, Commissioner William Waldack again brought up the Meals on Wheels and transportation subsidy issue.

He acknowledged he tends to get “rather exuberant” about these particular issues and can get “carried away.”

Waldack said out of the $900,000 projected budget surplus discussed at the previous meeting most of it will go into a reserve fund and the remaining money will be approximately $80,000.

He said he is still requesting $50,000 of that money to be designated for Meals on Wheels and the senior transportation subsidy.

Mayor Martin Tully thanked the village staff for their work on the budget, and as he did at the previous meeting, explained the differing opinions among council members regarding increasing funding for those programs. 

“There isn’t consensus on the point,” he said, adding that the different positions weren't insincere, morally bankrupt, or flawed.

“There are plausible, well-meaning arguments on both sides," he said.

Moving on, the council voted on whether or not to pay $18,388.20 in membership dues to rejoin the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference for six months.

The motion passed 5 to 2, with commissioners Geoff Neustadt and Bob Barnett voting against it.

Barnett said he didn’t believe the village had gotten its money’s worth out of being a member in the past.

“I think other groups drown out our voices,” he said.

Tully, on the other hand, said, “I think that we’ve learned some things by our absence,” adding it was hard to put a value on the ability to collaborate and provide superior services. He also said it was hard to measure the effects of “not being in the room” when issues are being discussed that will affect Downers Grove residents.

Though Barnett and Neustadt didn’t support the rejoining both said they planned on being active participants.

There was also a first read on an amendment that would extend the hours for serving liquor.

Village Attorney Enza Petrarca said the proposed amendment would allow liquor service until 2 a.m. on New Years Eve, St. Patrick’s Day and Thanksgiving Eve.  Previously, businesses had to submit a written request to have their liquor serving hours extended on these specific days.

If the liquor code is amended, the village is proposing that the number of times a business can request an extension in a year be reduced from eight to four, Petraarca said.

The village will vote on the matter next week.

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