Carpentersville to raise water rates again

Carpentersville audit and finance commission members this week backed what would be the third water and sewer rate increase in three years to plug a slow drain from the village's revenue column.

Village officials say a 9-percent increase is needed to sustain current services provided to village residents and to help repay a $10 million bond the village recently issued to boost its capital improvement program.

"It will go toward equipment maintenance and costs to continue operating the system," Village Manager Craig Anderson said. "Our costs are going up and we need to make sure we are putting enough capital in to cover the capital improvement program and to pay down those debts."

Water and sewer rates were raised 6 percent in 2006 and 7 percent in 2007. Before 2006, the village had not adjusted water rates in five years, while sewer rates remained unchanged for eight years.

Under the new rates, which were recommended by the finance panel but have not yet gained village board approval, water rates will go up from $2.66 per 1,000 gallons to $2.90 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer rates will increase to $3.22 per 1,000 gallons from $2.95.

Finance Director Lisa Happ said a bill for 12,000 gallons of water and sewer combined would increase about $6.46 per quarter, or $25.81 annually.

Incremental increases are expected until 2011.

"The village decided to implement smaller increases rather than just one giant increase and another in five years because it is difficult to predict costs five years out," Happ said.

Happ reasoned the latest hike is slightly higher than previous rate increases due to the bond issuance and increased costs for such things as fuel. The village also is working to replace its antiquated water meter reading system over the next five years.

If approved by the village board, the new rates will show up on water bills beginning in January for usage from October through December of this year.

Last year, the village issued credits to about a third of its consumers when some residents complained they were not given adequate warning before the rates took effect. Delaying the rate increase cost the village about $43,000.

Village trustees will consider the increase at Tuesday's board meeting.