Des Plaines could reduce water bills, but how soon?
Des Plaines residents could see their water bills cut under a plan proposed this week by three aldermen.
But the mayor says it's too soon to pass along savings the city is gaining after hooking up to a new water source.
Des Plaines' new connection to the Northwest Water Commission's water supply went live in June, less than two years after the city inked a 20-year deal with the commission, which is run by Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Palatine and Wheeling.
Des Plaines, which has been buying its water from Chicago since the 1960s, began looking for a second water source in 2012, when Chicago hiked its rate by 25 percent and promised 15 percent increases in the following years through 2015.
Officials have said Des Plaines stands to save up to $10,000 a day by connecting to the Northwest Water Commission's service.
Mayor Matt Bogusz's original plan was to pay off a growing deficit in the city's water and sewer fund, caused by Chicago's rate hikes and Des Plaines sewer repair costs, before passing along the savings to residents on their water bills.
But some aldermen have been clamoring for the city to reduce water bills sooner.
Alderman Malcolm Chester, supported by Dick Sayad and Jim Brookman, proposed at a city council meeting this week that water rates be reduced equal to half the savings realized by the city — a number just used as a starting point, Chester said.
Sayad suggested the city could use its reserve fund, which currently sits at $16.5 million, to help pay off the water and sewer fund, which had a $3.5 million deficit at the end of last year. It's projected to be $4.9 million in the red by the end of this year.
“That's great we're saving money, but when does it go down to the average resident?” Sayad said. “We're not broke. It's time for you to get something back.”
Bogusz criticized Sayad for his suggestion that reserves be used as “loose talk” about the budget.
“As a council we have a responsibility to be stewards of our budget and respectful of our residents,” Bogusz said. “The entire reason for this capital investment is to reduce the cost to residents. By controlling this debt, we are controlling the debt burden placed on our property taxes and it will put us in a position to reduce water rates.”
Aldermen agreed to refer the issue to the council's finance and administration committee for further discussion.