Rolling Meadows may raise sewer fees 20 percent

Sewer rates for Rolling Meadows residents may increase 20 percent in 2012, one of many proposals made this week to bring down the double-digit property tax levy increase that otherwise would be required to balance the budget.

The city also will cut part of the video program, no longer taping and showing meetings of the zoning board or plan commission on local access channels.

Several weeks ago, aldermen asked each department head to detail how they would cut several thousand dollars from their budgets, and earlier this week discussed the options before making about $250,000 worth of cuts.

The increase to sewer rates would create a surplus of $128,000 in the sewer fund, which is part of the utility fund.

The rates are charged per 1,000 gallons of water used in a household. Homes that use up to 15,000 gallons of water a month would pay $2.50 per 1,000 gallons, up from $2.10. Homes that use more than 15,000 gallons a month would pay $2.95 per 1,000 gallons, up from $2.45.

Assistant Finance Director Melissa Gallagher said typical water usage for a family in Rolling Meadows is 8,000 gallons per month.

The city also decided to eliminate chipper service, which had been done once a year in May or June. City Manager Barry Krumstok said the service costs the city about $29,000 and only about 20 percent of residents are taking advantage of it.

“So few people use it, but everyone is paying for it,” Alderman Larry Buske said.

The public works department will keep its chipper equipment for storm cleanup when necessary.

Public works made several budget reductions and agreed to postpone filling a few vacant positions until October 2012.

The council discussed various service cuts to the fire and police departments, but decided against reducing service in those areas.

City council meetings and committee of the whole meetings will still be videotaped, even as plan commission and ZBA meetings are not.

A part-time job in the human resources department, vacated in a retirement, will remain vacant, saving about $30,000.

Aldermen disagreed on how to use the savings. While Buske said all of it should be put toward lowering the tax levy, Alderman Robert Banger said it should all go toward reserves.

“I'm perfectly happy with our tax levy (increase) at 15 percent. The levy is what it is,” he said.

The council compromised, putting two-thirds of the money toward the levy, bringing it down to about a 13.5 percent increase for now, and the rest of the money will boost the city's reserves.

Changes and cuts may still be made before the final levy is approved at the Dec. 6 meeting.