By: Diane Benjamin
Besides raising water rates 100% over 3 years, the City of Bloomington raised your property taxes too this year.
Excerpts from when the water rate increases were passed 11/27/2023: https://d2kbkoa27fdvtw.cloudfront.net/cityblm/9f871a978bec4858933e854eec3650e40.pdf
The capital projects will include approximately: (1) $75M to $100M in systemwide distribution improvements; (2) $100M in lead service replacement; (3) $125M in water main replacement; and (4) $50M in plant improvements.
Based on a current regional water comparison, the City’s water rates are well below comparable communities. As the
City has not increased water rates since 2011, a large part of the increase is necessary to catch up with inflation and the lack of increases. To accommodate the 10-year plan, and to help residents and customers acclimate to the new rate schedule, City staff is proposing a phased-in approach for the rate increases over three years.
The proposal is for the water rates to increase 33% on May 1, 2024, another 33% on May 1, 2025, and then a final 33% on
May 1, 2026. Thereafter, the rates are proposed to increase by the CPI index for water, sewer, storm water, and solid waste.
The vote – PDF page 4 https://bloomingtonil.portal.civicclerk.com/event/1444/files/agenda/1466
Only 2 members of the Council voted against tripling how much water costs you. It isn’t the fault of citizens that rates weren’t increased since 2011. It isn’t the fault of citizens City priorities were everywhere except the water system. Staff knew about EPA requirements for well over a decade.
More excerpts: To maintain consistency and improve accuracy, the proposed ordinance also changes the annual rate increases for sewer, storm, and refuse from 3% annually to CPI-WST (Water, Sewer, Storm Water and Solid Waste (Trash Collection). It should be noted that the rates are being proposed on the City’s current best projections and will continue to be reviewed, and may need further revision, either up or down, based on actual expenses and funding sources.
The Bloomington City Council is now taxing you even more every year and never has to vote.
Remember this water billing error?
1200 Bloomington businesses received a letter that stated Bloomington screwed up billing them.
Therefore, Bloomington dramatically raised the cost of merely having a larger water pipe to feed a sprinkler system, whether it is used or not.
How much did the Water Fund lose because of their error?
It doesn’t matter. Citizens are stuck with the bill.
NOT voting in local elections has consequences.
Voting for the far left does too.