Water Rates, Commuter Parking Fees to Increase in Downers Grove

Downers Grove residents who buy water from the village can expect to see higher monthly bills starting next year.

The Downers Grove Village Council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on an ordinance that would increase the village's water rates to reflect recent rate imposed by the DuPage Water Commission and the City of Chicago.

The commission, which buys Lake Michigan water from Chicago, voted last year to raise its water rates every year in 2015. The decision came after Chicago instituted a rate hike that amounts to a 90-percent wholesale increase over the same timeframe, according to the Daily Herald.

The commission also added on another 19 cents per 1,000 gallons, according to the report.

Downers Grove staff recently adjusted the village's water rate model to account for the increases, as well as the recommendations of the 2010 Water Rate Study. The village's rate increases—projected at 18 percent for 2013—will only impact the unit fee portion of the bill; the fixed fee portion foes not change from the original plan, according to village documents.

The rates are now projected to increase by 14 percent in 2014 and 2015, according to village officials.

The following table shows the proposed water rates that will go into effect for bills received after March 1, 2013:

The following table shows the projected impact of the new water rates:

The Downers Grove Council is expected to vote on the new water rates Tuesday as part of its 2012-13 budget implementation actions.

Commuter Parking Fees to Increase in Downers Grove

The Downers Grove Council will also consider Tuesday an ordinance that would increase parking fees charged for commuter spaces.

In 2011, village staff conducted the Downtown Parking Study, which found that the quarterly fees for commuter parking spaces were lower than nearby stations, according to village documents.

Currently, the village charges residents $80 for quarterly permits at the Belmont and Main Street stations; non-residents are charged $110. At the Fairview station, residents are charged $75 and non-residents are charged $105.

The study, conducted by Rich and Associates, found that spaces in nearby Lisle and Naperville cost anywhere from $105 to $145 per quarter, according to village documents.

As part of the implementation of the 2012-13 budget, village staff is recommending fee increases for all of Downers Grove's commuter spaces. The village has already provided written notice to both Metra and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, per the terms of their agreement.

Should the council approve the ordinance, the fees would be removed from the municipal code and listed in the administrative fee schedule, according to village documents. The recommended fee schedule is shown below:

$80 Resident

$110 Non-Resident

$100 Resident

$120 Non-Resident

$80 Resident

$110 Non-Resident

$100 Resident

$120 Non-Resident

$75 Resident

$105 Non-Resident

$80 Resident

$110 Non-Resident

The Downers Grove Council will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Village Hall, 801 Burlington Ave. For more information, visit www.downers.us.

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