The Village Board of Trustees heard a proposal to raise Village water rates by two-cents Tuesday. Water rates have been increased by one-cent in years past to stay up with inflation, but the Village has several water main projects that need attention over the next few years that increased water rates will help fund.
The proposed increase will bring the rate up to 38 cents per 100 gallons of usage.
The aged water infrastructure throughout “old” Mahomet is beginning to show its age as the Village has mended a water main leak along Main Street several times. The board slated repairs for the water main line along Franklin Street during last week’s board meeting.
The increase will bring about $28,000 to the Village should annual water consumption of 140,000 remain consistent. This additional money will not completely cover the water main repairs, though. The Village plans to raise water rates gradually so that the increase does not hit the public all at once.
The Village also saw a decrease in water revenue last year due to decreased water consumption throughout 2014 with the mild temperatures and wet spring and summer seasons.
Treasurer Jeanne Schacht also proposed for a $25 increase in water connection fees, raising the overall cost to $775. Wastewater connection fees will also go up $25 per unit.
But because wastewater rates have increased over the past several years to pay for the $14 million wastewater treatment plant expansion, Schacht recommended that wastewater rates remain the same as last year at $1.03 per 100 gallons usage.
