Tamaroa Board to consider sewer rate increase next month
Trustee Bill Place asked the board to consider raising the sewer rate to match the water rate for the village. Currently, the sewer rate for in-town customers is $5 for the first 1,000 gallons. The water rate is about 95 cents per 100 gallons.
The rates were the same until Du Quoin began raising water rates before Tamaroa was able to purchase water directly from Rend Lake.
If the board again matches the sewer rate to the water rate, average users (1,000 per month) could expect an increase of less than $3 per month. Those who use 4,000 gallons or more a month could expect an increase of $8 to $10.
The additional funds would be banked for future maintenance of the city's sand filters at the sewer lagoon.
The filters were last renovated 15 years ago and are currently in good shape. The cost to renovate a sand filter is about $100,000. Sometimes there is grant funding to help pay up to half the cost. There is currently about $37,000 in the sewer fund.
In other business, the board:
• passed the annual appropriations ordinance for $866,755.
• approved a debt collection agreement allowing Circuit Clerk Kim Kellerman to turn over any fines owed to Tamaroa after 60 days without payment. There is no cost to the village.
• agreed to replace Adolph Buza's water meter again. After two months with no reading, the old meter was replaced in May. Buza said his usage shot from an average of 2,800 gallons per month to 3,300 gallons then 4,900 gallons.
• directed attorney Calen Campanella to write letters to property owners Mike Frost and Clarence Kabat giving them 30 days to bring their properties into compliance. If the pond on Frost's property is not maintained, he will be cited each day until the village is satisfied. The other option is to sign a contract allowing the village to drain and fill in the pond. Frost has, in the past, given verbal consent, but has never signed an agreement. Kabat owns the former lumber company building on the highway. The roof is caving in and has become a safety issue. He must repair the roof or pay a daily fine. Both property owners may attend the next board meeting to discuss their plans with the board.
• heard from Campanella that $77,000 is still owed to IDOT for the relocation of a CPWD water line in 1997. CPWD made payments through 2012. Tamaroa has made the $5,000 annual payment for the last two years. The board asked him to offer to settle the debt for the remaining assets in the CPWD accounts, approximately $30,000. CPWD wishes to dissolve. If not, the village would like to continue to repay the debt at the same rate. All assets of CPWD were to be turned over to Tamaroa when they accepted responsibility for the other water system's lines.
• discussed reducing the rent on the gymnasium paid by Tamaroa Grade School and/or the utility rate. TGS currently pays $900 per month and 75 percent of the utilities from October through May. School funding cuts might force the teams to use the St. Bruno Parish Center to save money. The issue will be discussed again in August.