Residents press council on village water expansion; annexation and cost-sharing options discussed

A substantial discussion at Wednesday’s Village of Saint Charles meeting centered on requests from residents for village water along Ithaca/Grant Road and nearby parcels.

Residents said their well water is poor and described bills and service concerns; council and staff outlined three possible approaches: annexation into the village, a township-administered special assessment district, or a negotiated township agreement. Staff said annexation would require a majority vote (51%) of affected property owners and may require county approval.

Council members said residents could face upfront installation costs and ongoing tax or assessment obligations. One staff estimate provided in the discussion suggested an annual tax-equivalent assessment of roughly $710 per property in one scenario; staff also noted earlier local water infrastructure work dating to a 1966 project that staff will review to determine existing agreements and obligations.

Several residents pressed the council during public comment about large differences in billing outside the village, saying some out-of-village customers paid several times more for water. Council members emphasized the need for more research before committing: "We just need to find some information and I just needed a year," a staff member said, asking for time to compile the historical records and present options.

The council did not adopt a policy at the meeting but directed staff to research the 1966 records, explore annexation and special assessment pathways, and present cost estimates and process requirements at a future meeting.