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NORMAL (25News Now) – People living in Normal will pay more money to fund the town’s water and wastewater systems, but the 2% annual rate increase will be automatically negated as originally planned. It does not apply to deadlines.
The Normal Town Council unanimously voted Monday night to begin raising rates on April 1, the start of the new fiscal year. Congress has also pledged to review the need for annual rate hikes within five years.
Councilwoman Kathleen Lorenz, who asked that the issue be revisited every three years, voted yes with the rest of the council in what she believed was a spirit of compromise.
Also during the discussion, Mayor Chris Koos said some cities are seeing “very steep” price increases compared to neighboring communities where others are regretting selling their water systems to private companies. , claimed that Normal City was much better off.
Koos did not name the cities, but the Bloomington City Council in late November approved rate increases of 33% in each of the next three years to pay for hundreds of millions of dollars in repairs. The City of Peoria’s water system is operated by the Illinois American Water Company.
Next year, the average household in Normal will pay an additional $1.41 a month, or $16.92 a year, to fund both water and wastewater systems.
This first annual rate increase will generate about $210,000 for the water fund and $98,000 for the sewer fund, town officials said.
City Council approves new fiscal year budget to increase town contributions to police and fire pensions
Also Monday night, the Legislature unanimously approved a budget of approximately $223 million for the new fiscal year, which begins April 1.
Councilman Scott Preston said he is pleased the town is providing $9 million more this year to cover pension obligations for police and firefighters.
Town officials announced several key initiatives, including increased investment in pensions, economic development, capital funding to support transportation and town facilities, and “adequate” staffing to meet service demands. are listed.
The budget includes a 3.35% increase in the cost of living for the town’s non-union members.
The City Council adopted the budget after a much shorter public discussion than usual. In past years, City Council members have spent about six hours in public meetings considering and discussing various items.
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