Elgin might lower water rates next year

The city of Elgin is planning to conduct a residents' survey next year and will consider lowering water rates starting Jan. 1.

On Dec. 17, staff members will present a financial analysis of the lower rates, a proposal endorsed by several city council members. The utility fund, which comprises water and sewer, is projected to have $20.4 million in reserves by the end of this year, dwindling to $7.8 million to fund various projects by the end of 2018.

A survey would give all residents a chance to express their concerns and recommendations, because time constraints and language barriers prevent many from attending city council meetings, resident Armida Dominguez said.

Dominguez was among five residents who spoke at a public comment meeting about the proposed budget Saturday at the Centre of Elgin. That's in stark contrast to the 47 people who spoke at last year's meeting, many advocating allocating money to nonprofit organizations.

City Manager Sean Stegall said the Elgin Community Network, an independent, citizen-based organization, is offering $30,000 of its leftover funding for the survey.

The city should devise a more fair process to allocate grants to local nonprofits, said resident Danise Habun, executive director of Coordinated Care Alliance. One "favorite organization" gets the bulk of the funding, she said, referring to the Boys & Girls Club of Elgin.

Councilman Toby Shaw suggested using federal Community Development Block Grant money to fund street projects rather than nonprofits. That can be done if used in low-income areas, Stegall said.

Resident Daniel Palmer asked about reconstructing Wellington Avenue, which he called "unbelievably bad."

That street is scheduled for work in 2016, but there's a chance the work on it and others will be moved up if the city allocates more money - via debt service - to street projects next year, Stegall said. The plan is to determine that by January or February, he said.

Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said the city should allocate entryway sign funds to helping out local businesses.

Laura Knoerr, a member of the city's sustainability commission, praised the city's investment into bike paths and beautifying the downtown riverfront.

However, a plan to create bike lanes connecting Metra's stations on Chicago and National streets with areas south and west of Elgin will likely be scrapped because of feasibility concerns, city officials said.

The city's cost would have been about $700,000 for the $3 million project, Assistant City Manager Rick Kozal said. The first phase of engineering was authorized in 2009 at a total cost of $230,500, including $46,000 in city funds.

The code department has lagged behind other departments in efficiency and upgrades, Councilman John Steffen said. "It's an issue that I have been pushing the entire time," he said.

Councilwoman Tish Powell suggested that, in the future, code officers could live in the neighborhoods they monitor, just like police officers live in the areas they patrol through the resident officer program.

Resident Roy Chapman said his Social Security benefits will increase by just 1.8 percent next year. He asked city council members to remember residents on fixed incomes as part of the budget process.

The city will continue to face challenges to fund public pensions, city officials said. The goal is to achieve 90 percent funding by 2040, as per the state's requirements.

To that end, the city's property tax levy - which is staying flat in 2015 - is projected to increase by 5 percent in 2016 and 2017 unless cuts are made to public safety, Stegall said.