Carlyle council adopts water-rate increase, to take effect Jan. 1, 2026

The Carlyle City Council unanimously adopted a water-rate ordinance at its Sept. 8, 2025 regular meeting. City Administrator Brad Myers presented the proposal, saying it relied on a water-rate study by the Illinois Rural Water Association and guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Myers said the study recommends increasing water rates by $0.51 per 1,000 gallons and changing sewer billing to charge per 1,000 gallons instead of the current per-2,000-gallon basis. The ordinance also implements the city's policy of incrementally raising the rate by 5 percent annually for the next five years; the new rates are scheduled to begin Jan. 1, 2026. Myers estimated the increase would be nominal and said a family of four would see an estimated monthly bill increase of approximately $5 to $10.

Councilors asked clarifying questions during the discussion about the study and future funding for water production and sewer distribution; no amendments were proposed. Alderman Jeff Taylor moved to approve the ordinance and Alderman Mike Jansen seconded; the motion passed by unanimous roll call vote.

The ordinance requires the city to demonstrate that anticipated revenues will cover future water-production and sewer-distribution costs as described in the study. The council did not specify a detailed breakdown of how additional revenue will be allocated to particular capital projects or operational accounts at this meeting.