City of Carmi residents may be looking at a water rate increase in the coming years. That’s according to Keith Botsch, who told Carmi Council members they may have to consider it while laying out the annual budget and appropriations at Tuesday night’s meeting. Botsch says the water department is expecting a deficit of $337,000.
“We did that one that ended a few years ago…it was a 5 year program I think we went up 5 to 10% a year. We have pretty low water rates. Brownsville and some other places, their rates are outrageous because they have that debt service they have to pay. People don’t realize how low Carmi’s water rates are.”
Total corporate appropriations for Carmi sit at $5.9 million. The Light Department is appropriated $7.7 million. The Water Department is appropriating $2.5 million. The Sewer Department is appropriating $781,000 bringing total utility appropriations to just over $17 million dollars.
Following the public hearing, council got it’s business done in just under 10 minutes. The first April meeting will be moved out of respect for the election to be held the same day. Instead of April 4th, council will convene on Monday, April 3rd. Alderman Jim Totten is running for re-election against challenger Lacey Bradshaw.
Council also also reviewed and awarded bids, the first for the Route 1 Sewer and Water Replacement. That bid went to Wiggs Excavating. Council also awarded the Fairground Reconductor Project to Asplundh Contracting. The bid was just under $26,000 and will take care of the city’s south feeder Phase II upgrade.
Council adjourned at 5:39pm with no closed session.
