Fox River Grove raises water rates for future projects

Fox River Grove residents will be digging a little deeper in the next fiscal year, when it comes to their water bills.

The village board Thursday night approved raising water rates three percent to build reserves for future infrastructure improvements.

That means the base fee of $42.45, the $22.35 fee for water service only and the $6.06 fee per 1,000 gallons are all going up.

"We're going to continue to repair village infrastructure with a three-percent increase in water and sewer rates to build a new vehicle storage garage and prepare for future, federally mandated sewer plant upgrades," said Village Administrator Art Osten.

In other talks Thursday about the village's $2.5 million general fund budget, board members have agreed to do more with less.

Trustees agreed that they will not increase salaries or wages for nonexempt and nonunion employees.

"We did our best to try to hold down the cost as much as we can to avoid cutting services," said Trustee Gerald Menzel, also a member of the finance committee.

When it came to slashing things out of the budget, the board agreed to save $65,000 by postponing a well rehabilitation and replacing water meters that are 15 years old.

Some trustees thought the board should take care of the well and aging equipment right away before costs go up.

"Unemployment is almost 12 percent in McHenry County," said Trustee Steve Knar. "Tell me how we think things are going to get better in six, nine or 12 months."

The board meanwhile, agreed to keep funding in place for holiday light decorations and a playground at Hunters Farm Park - items that Village Administrator Art Osten presented as possibilities for elimination.

The proposed budget will be on public display starting April 1.