Mokena Trustees OK Water And Sewer Rate Increase

By Jon DePaolis, Richard Free Press:

MOKENA, Ill. — Mokena officials have approved a water and sewer rate increase that will take effect in July.

The Village of Mokena Board of Trustees approved the increase of 16 cents per 1,000 gallons of water Monday, June 28, after a 5-0 vote. Trustee Debbie Engler was absent.

The change comes after the City of Chicago increased its water and sewer rate by 5 cents per 1,000 gallons, Oak Lawn raised its rate 10 cents per 1,000 gallons, and Tinley Park raised its rate by 1 cent per 1,000 gallons, all of which added up to the total increase of 16 cents per 1,000 gallons needing to be adjusted for Mokena’s ordinance.

“There will be a water rate adjustment of 16 cents per 1,000 gallons of water, which will increase the current rate from $7.73 per 1,000 gallons to $7.89 per 1,000 gallons,” Finance Director Barb Damron said. “Our water customers will not see the increase until they receive their August bills.”

Damron said the monthly impact to a customer averaging 8,000 gallons a month would be an additional $1.28.

“All other water and sewer rates will remain the same,” she said.

Later in the meeting, the trustees also voted 5-0 to approve a raise for non-represented employees.

“[It] would authorize the non-union staff to receive the same pay rate increase here in fiscal year 2022 as the union staff, which is a 2.25% increase,” Village Administrator John Tomasoski said.

According to a Village memo on the item, the compensation resolution would effect 30 employees.

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