Water rates go up again in Steeleville
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Steeleville residents will soon see their water and sewer bills go up for a second time this year, this time by two dollars.
The Steeleville Village Board of Trustees approved the increases last week.
Beginning August 1 customers within the village limits will pay $9.60 per month for the first 2,000 gallons or less, up from the current rate of $7.60 and an extra $2.44 per month for each additional 1,000 gallons.
For customers outside the village limits, charges will be $18 and $4.20, respectively. There will be a rate hike in sewer fees, up to $9 from the current $7 for village users for 2,000 gallons and an additional $1.22 for each 1,000 gallons.
The rates will be in effect for one year. Then, August 1, 2011 the minimum rate for villagers will increase to $10.10 per month for the first 2,000 gallons of water used and $2.56 for each 1,000 gallons. Those living outside the village limits will pay $18.50 and $4.40, respectively. Effective August 1, 2011, sewer rates will jump to a minimum of $9.50 plus $1.28 for each 1,000 gallons over the minimum.
The rate hikes have been necessitated by high repair costs to the village's antiquated system. But, Steeleville Mayor Mike Armstrong says the village's water and sewer rates are the lowest in the surrounding area.
The board also approved a tax increment financing arrangement with the Steeleville Eagles Club. TIF funds will be used to reimburse the Eagles costs, approximately $92,000 to acquire vacant property. The village will pay the Eagles $4,000 for 23 years.
A TIF with David Knop's Southern Illinois Custom Builders was also approved. Knop plans to make improvements to property east of the Dollar General Store.
A complaint about the possibility that new doors to the library were not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act was referred to the library district board.
In other business, the board:
Approved all existing liquor licenses for another year.
Passed an ordinance prohibiting registered sex offenders from being in privately owned village parks.
Promoted Police Officer Cody Mueller from part-time to full-time.
Approved a 75 cents per hour pay raise for maintenance worker Alan Behnken.
Accepted the resignation of maintenance worker Bart Tuekin.