Algonquin suspends water and sewer rate hike until 2021

At a time when many Algonquin residents are hurting financially because of the COVID-19 pandemic, village officials are trying not to add to the pain.

With that in mind, the village board voted last week to suspend a 14% hike in water and sewer rates that was scheduled to take effect in November. Instead of paying $15.26 per 1,000 gallons of water consumption starting next month, Algonquin residents will continue paying $13.35 until at least November 2021.

"The board wanted to do something that can provide immediate relief, and the next water bill was a way to do that," said Mike Kumbera, Algonquin's assistant village manager. "Throughout the pandemic we've really been trying serve the community and support our businesses. We're committed to trying to make it better."

Algonquin began phasing in annual water and sewer rate hikes in 2016, in an effort to undertake capital improvement projects to its facilities and keep up with maintenance needs to an aging infrastructure. Kumbera said that when the multiyear hike was enacted, a rate study indicated Algonquin had the lowest rates of any comparable community in the area.

Kumbera said the financial shortfall associated with the rate freeze will be partially offset by commercial and residential development fees and a state grant designated for improvements to the wastewater treatment facility. He said the village is beginning its capital planning for the next fiscal year and may need to adjust accordingly.

"It is our hope that this action, along with decreasing our property tax rate over the past four years, demonstrates a good value for the village services provided to our community," acting Village President Debby Sosine said in a statement.