Water bill credits likely for west Carpentersville

Residents on the west side of Carpentersville will likely receive a credit on their next water bill after the village's audit and finance panel voted Thursday to delay charging 7 percent water and sewer rate increases until the new year.

The changes now await village board approval.

Last week, resident Paul Lanspa criticized the village board for applying the higher rates to services already used.

Lanspa, a member of the village's planning and zoning commission, said it was unfair that the village charged the new rates for water used between June 10 and Sept. 10 -- a peak usage period.

If the village board approves the deferral, about 3,500 west-side residents -- as well as commercial water users -- will receive a credit.

Finance Director Lisa Happ said the credits would amount to about $43,000.

Since the village is on three billing cycles, the 7 percent increases will affect bills beginning Jan. 1.

Trustees approved a 7 percent water and sewer rate increase Sept. 18, indicating the new rates would become effective Oct. 1.

The increase raised water rates from $2.49 to $2.66 per 1,000 gallons used, while the sewer rate went from $2.76 to $2.95 per 1,000 gallons used.

Trustees said they were unaware the increase would retroactively affect bills for water already used.

Happ said the village had applied last year's 6 percent hike the same way, except staff had more time to communicate the increases to residents.

The holdup earlier this year forming the audit and finance commission hampered efforts to notify residents of the impending rate hikes, Happ said.

"The commission was not meeting in July and we didn't do the greatest job communicating the sewer and water rate increases," Happ said. "There was nothing backhanded or backdoor. We needed to be consistent."

Village officials said the rate increases were needed to cover the day-to-day operations of the village's water and sewer facilities, as well as contribute to repaying the $10 million bond the village issued last June for street and sidewalk projects.