Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Billing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakview residents press Lisle officials over high water bills; village says it is researching options
Summary
Multiple Oakview residents told the Village of Lisle on Aug. 4 they are receiving unusually high water bills and urged immediate action; village leaders said staff are reviewing past reports, meeting with Illinois American Water and developing feasible alternatives for future board consideration.
Several residents of the Oakview subdivision addressed the Village of Lisle at the Aug. 4 meeting, saying private-water service from Illinois American Water has led to ‘‘exorbitant’’ monthly bills and asking the village to act.
"At every meeting, you claim you're looking into the problem but nothing changes," resident Susan Sorel told Mayor Mullen, saying Oakview was served by DuPage Utilities from 1958 to 1990, by Citizens Utilities afterward and by Illinois American Water since 2000. Sorel asked when Oakview residents could ‘‘sign our deeds to the village’’ and criticized village leadership over downtown development decisions she said had harmed Lisle.
Mayor Mullen acknowledged he had misspoken at a prior meeting and clarified that the current operator purchased prior utilities: "IAW bought what used to be Citizens Utility, what used to be DuPage Water," he said. Mullen said the village is continuing to review reports from a prior task force (he referenced a task-force conclusion dated 02/2005 in the meeting record), has met with Illinois American Water on system condition and is compiling feasible alternatives for Board discussion. "We are continuing to do some research on everything that's happened since the task force," the mayor said.
Other Oakview residents described high and unexplained bills. One resident said a monthly bill reached about $450 after filling a modest pool; another, Mary O’Neil of 5317 Oak View Drive, said she had months with "0 gallons" recorded but still paid more than $70 and called the bills “my most expensive monthly bill.” Alice Snowske, who also lives in Oakview, urged the village to hire local resident Susan Trail as a consultant, saying Trail ‘‘knows more about the water situation than any of you could possibly spend the next 10 years learning about.’’
Village Manager Cook and other staff reported ongoing efforts: staff have reviewed reports from the prior task force, met with Illinois American Water about main conditions and are trying to assemble feasible alternatives for the board to consider. Trustee Lesniak asked residents for patience while staff compiles materials but said the board is aware and engaged. No formal action or vote was taken at the Aug. 4 meeting; staff was directed informally to continue research and to prepare options for future board discussion.
The public record presented at the meeting does not specify the number of accounts affected or a systematic audit of billing practices. Residents requested further information and more visible action from the village, and village staff said they will present findings and alternatives at a future meeting.
