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City Council Considering Water Rate Increases
The City of Galesburg wants to raise water rates on residents starting next year in order, officials say, to keep up with expenses -- but some aldermen may not be ready to sign off on that just yet.

The Galesburg City Council Monday night will consider a city request to raise water rates 15 percent for most customers, and raise facilities fees for residents.

But that didn't sit well with some aldermen two weeks ago when the proposal was first brought up. One, Fifth Ward Alderman Karen Lafferty, says some residents already pay plenty.

"I'm not in favor of raising the facility fee because we've got too many people that are trying to get by that are...just one person in the house," Lafferty said. "I don't like to keep having to raise facility fees. So I would like for us to look at across-the-board rate increases so that those using the most water would pay the most."

That other alternative was one of three options the city presented to aldermen, one of which included the continuation of a water rate flattening structure.

What the city calls non-profit customers, like cities including Knoxville and Abingdon that get their water from Galesburg, would be limited to a five-percent rate increase under their contracts.

Aldermen Monday night will also hold the third of a series of budget work sessions -- the latest on fines and fees, and they'll consider giving a $43,000 revolving loan to two Galesburg men who want to start a mold remediation business.
10 05 09 by Newsroom
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