2008 Woodie Awards
Council looks at water rate increase in all areas
Increase to help fund Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrade
Matt Hopf/City Editor
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: News
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The proposal would add about a 9 percent increase across the board for water and sewer rates.
A $40 a month water bill would increase by $3.60 per month or $43.20 per year.
The proposed water and sewer service rates increase are $9.96 per 1,000 gallons, while just water service rate is $9.03 per 1,000 gallons. The current rate is $9.14 per 1,000 gallons of water for water and sewer service, and water service is $8.28 per 1,000 gallons.
When a user goes over 10,000 gallons the proposed increase would be $9.58 per 1,000 gallons for water and sewer service, while it will be $8.29 per 1,000 gallons for just water service.
Currently those rates are $8.79 and $7.61 respectively.
The university, which receives its own water and sewer service rate, will see an increase to $9.58 per gallon from $8.78.
Students living in University Court and University Apartments are affected differently.
Nancy Stone-Johnson, resident director for University Court said students are billed the same as general residents in the city.
Utilities are included in the housing costs for University Apartments, said Pam Naragon, assistant director for business operations for Housing and Dining Services.
The university factors the costs into the housing costs, she added.
Charleston Mayor John Inyart said the annual water and sewer rate increase will help establish a capital reserve fund so the city will not have to borrow money to upgrade the Water Treatment Plant and the Waste Water Treatment Plant in the future.
The plants usually require upgrades every 20 years, he added.
"In 20 years, hopefully we won't have to borrow money," Inyart said.
The increase will also help make payments on a loan the city is applying for from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The loan would be used to help pay for proposed renovations of the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
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A parking fine increase will also be introduced at the meeting.
The proposed increase would increase fines to $15, which would increase to $20 if not paid within 48 hours.
Currently drivers parking in a no parking zone or violating time limit parking are issued a $10 citation, which if not paid within 48 hours increases to $15.
Inyart said the increase comes as it costs more to process violations and that it is the first increase to parking fines since 1995.
In other business the city council will also look at granting a conditional use permit for a drive-in movie theater at 375 N. 14th St.
The proposal was given a recommendation from the Charleston Board of Zoning, Appeals and Planning on Thursday.
The council will also vote to approve street closures for the "Kick Butts" Anti-Smoking Footrace, approve spending $12,500 of tourism funds to pay for entertainment for the Red, White and Blue Days on July 3 and 4 and to award a $42,000 bid to Tom Busher Construction of Mattoon to pay for labor in repaving Parking Lots A and F in downtown Charleston.
Matt can be reached at 581-7945 or mthopf@eiu.edu.
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