The Village of Shorewood Board approved a contract with the consulting group Stantec. | Unsplash/Headway
The Village of Shorewood Board approved a contract with the consulting group Stantec. | Unsplash/Headway
The Village of Shorewood Board approved a contract with the consulting group Stantec to conduct a utility rate study for the village for $27,825 at a Jan. 24 meeting.
Village Finance Director Anne Burkholder spoke with the board about the contract, saying that the last time the village had a study on their utility rates was six years ago, with new rates going into effect Jan. 1, 2018. The rates have not been changed since, aside from matching the dollar for dollar increase charged by their water provider, the village of Joliet. She added that they added one dollar per 1,000 gallons of water that was set aside for future lake water needs. Burkholder said that when it comes down to it, they are sitting in the same spot as 2018.
“We'd like to get ourselves on a trajectory based on the data that we have available to us and what we anticipate other revenues being in order that our rates are enhanced slowly over time, rather than having to take those big steps that make those big impacts that a household may not be ready for,” Burkholder told the board.
The village had a number of reasons to have a study conducted, starting with that it helps them sort their revenues for the operational part of the water sewer infrastructure. Their current rates cover physical expenses, but it is uncertain how they would match up to operations expenses. Another reason is to continue budgeting for capital needs such as water main replacements, sewer repairs and other large investments. Burkholder also said the village wants to start budgeting for the future of receiving water from Lake Michigan, which requires improvements to be made in town and new facilities.
Burkholder said that Stantec is a consulting group in the Grand Prairie Water Commission, and that they are familiar with the area and the prices from surrounding municipalities. The staff and council voiced their approval of moving forward with the study, with the funds from a small surplus in the water sewer funds to be used. The goal is to have the results before the next fiscal year.
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