SHELBYVILLE, IL. —
Shelbyville residents will see their water rates increase this spring as a result of the adoption of an ordinance passed Monday night by the City Council.
The increase rate passed was recommended by the engineering firm of Bainbridge, Gee, Milanski & Associates of Decature and tailored to meet the expenses for water tower maintenance contract also passed Monday evening.
“This is the only way to generate money for maintenance on the infrastructure of the towers,” Commissioner Bill Shoaff said.
The city has five steel tanks which have rust damage and four of the five still have lead-based paint, which needs to be removed. The maintenance contract will provide routine and incidental service to the city’s tanks over a 15-year period.
The ordinance raised the usage rates for city residents to $5.53 per 1,000 gallons for the first 2,000 gallons - an increase of $1.68 over the current rate. The rate per 1,000 gallons drops through a series of five tiers after the first 2,000 gallons.
For area residents rates will increase to $14.30 for first 2,000 gallons and $6.30 per 1,000 gallons after.
Shoaff noted that for a 5,000 gallon city user would pay $25.94 under the new rate - an increase of $7.89. Area residents would pay $33.20 for 5,000 gallons - an increase of $6.25
“It is cheaper to do it this way and spread the cost over a period of year,” Shoaff said.
“This helps our budget. To do this (maintenance contract), we’ve got to raise our rates,” he said.
Steve Bainbridge added that the rates are based on water usage over a couple of years.
Commissioner Jeff Johnson, who later voted no on the ordinance, asked if there was any money allocated to maintenance at the present time.
“Only for lines and insurance and bonds,” Shoaff answered.
“Rates should have been raised over a period of years,” Shoaff added. “We do have low water rates. We’ve just got to do it.”
“We just don’t have the money to offset it (tank maintenance). The only way is to pay as we go. A new tower costs between $3 and $4 million,” Shoaff continued. “The maintenance agreement is a fixed amount that we can pay monthly, quarterly, or yearly as we want.”
The rates would be effective March 1 for city residents and August 1 for area users.
The council also unanimously approved the fixed rate 15-year maintenance contract with Utility Service Company, Inc. for the water towers at a cost of $212,294 per year.
In other business Shoaff reported that the new roof on the water treatment plant has been installed.
“There were some soft spots in the old roof,” he noted.
Commissioner Brent Fogleman reported that the Fraternal Order of Police has asked for a date to begin negotiations. Their present contract ends April 30.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Increased water rates passed by the City Council will help fund the maintenace work needed for Shelbyville’s five water tanks The 15-year maintenance contract includes cleaning away mold, removing lead-based paint, repainting and repairs. File photo
January 10, 2013
City Water Rate Increases Set
- Local News
-
-
SHS Graduation
Photos from Shelbyville High School graduation May 18.
-
Shelby County introduces K-9 unit
Two new canine members have joined the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Hektor and Sito, both trained German Shepherds, make up the K-9 unit that was put into service in November of 2012. Sheriff Michael Miller said the K-9 unit aids in creating a sa
-
Fire destroys downtown businesses
Eighteen fire departments battled a late evening fire Monday which destroyed three downtown businesses and upstairs apartments and damaged other adjoining businesses.
-
Business buildings burning in Shelbyville
Breaking news---
Large structure fire in downtown Shelbyville
-
Retirement open house for Connie Smith Saturday
Connie Oeltjen Smith is retiring from Cowden-Herrick school district after 37 years of teaching kindergarten. Connie was born and raised in Mattoon and is married to Jim Smith. The family is having an open house for Connie at the community building o
-
John L. Gerhold Shelbyville
John Lincoln Gerhold, 86, of Shelbyville, formerly of Tower Hill, died 12:55 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2013 in Moweaqua Nursing & Retirement Center. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 15, 2013 in St. Paul's Cemetery, Dollville,
-
Rams runner-ups in OVC
Shelbyville boys track battled most of the meet, until the last event, the 4x4, which the Rams won. However, they still were four points back of Monticello, 112 to 108, and had to settle for second place. "It was there for the taking, but we made way
- Driver Standings 1. Jimmie Johnson, 383 2. Carl Edwards, 342 3. Dale Earnhardt, 324 4. Matt Kenseth, 317 5. Clint Bowyer, 316 6. Brad Keselowski, 314 7. Kasey Kahne 299 8. Aric Almirola, 258 9. Paul Menard, 270 10. Kyle Busch, 278 11. Greg Biffle, 280 12. Kevin Harv
-
Raiders Stun Rams
Central A&M softball knocked off the Shelbyville machine on Tuesday, as the Rams slipped some gears and the Raiders did the little things right, winning 4-3. It was the second 1-run loss in two days as the Rams have faded from the OVC title hunt. The
-
Shelbyville stands alone
"Heigh-ho the derry-o" the Rams stand alone. The Shelbyville Rams baseball team (19-2, 7-1 OVC) stands alone atop the Okaw Valley Conference after they beat Argenta on Wednesday, 3-1. The Rams took out Tuscola on Tuesday, 7-0, and went into the showd
- More Local News Headlines
-
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
