Dolton moves to monthly water billing; reconnection fee to rise to $100

Dolton officials discussed Ordinance 14-013 to change the village’s water billing cycle from quarterly to monthly and to update delinquency procedures. Director Bridal told the board the Finance Department proposes issuing bills monthly beginning in January, with payments due on the 15th and accounts considered delinquent 15 days after the due date.

The change would also schedule service shutoffs on the first Tuesday of the following month and increase the reconnection fee to $100 from the current $75, officials said. “So currently, the water ordinance indicates the village bills residents quarterly,” Director Bridal said while outlining the proposal. She added the monthly cadence would allow the village to forecast cash flows and align revenue with monthly expenses.

Why it matters: staff said monthly billing would make it easier to track delinquent accounts, give Public Works a standard operating process and timing for shutoffs, and provide residents smaller, more frequent bills comparable to other utilities. “It can also be more helpful to the resident, to be able to break that down monthly instead of waiting until after 3 months and have a larger bill,” the chair said.

Staff described measures for existing delinquencies. A staff member said Director Bridal has proposed a payment plan that asks for a down payment and spreads past-due balances over six months to help owners catch up. Director Bridal also described an assistance program through Cook County that the village has applied to: the county will assess listed delinquent accounts and may provide up to $2,000 per eligible owner to pay water bills, and in some cases the county’s assistance can reach up to $5,000 depending on the individual assessment. “We’ve already submitted, got our paperwork in, been approved for it. We’re waiting for them to do their analysis on the amount of delinquent accounts for Dolton,” Director Bridal said.

Trustees raised operational questions and resident concerns. Trustee Betcher said she agreed with the change but asked whether the village would need to hire additional meter-readers for monthly billing. “My only concern is, moving this forward, will we be hiring more water meter people?” she asked. A staff member replied the village is reassessing how meters are read, implementing faster procedures and has a plan to add another reader if necessary.

Trustee Stan suggested holding a town hall to explain the change to residents and asked about moving meters to exterior locations so readers do not need to enter homes. “Are we anywhere in the ballpark of being able to get meters outside so an individual don't have to go in the home?” he asked. Staff said the village is compiling a list of meters that lack automated exterior reads and is working toward installing exterior reads where feasible; staff also said they can provide disposable shoe covers for readers and schedule later appointments for residents who are not home during the standard reading window.

A resident asked whether the billing rate would change or if monthly billing would create surprise charges. Director Bridal replied, “So at this time, we don't have any discussions about raising the water rate. We're just going to change the billing cycle where it goes, to monthly.”

No formal vote or final adoption of Ordinance 14-013 was recorded during the discussion. Staff said they are waiting on the county’s analysis of delinquent accounts for the assistance program and recommended outreach to residents; trustees asked for public engagement (for example, a town-hall meeting) so residents understand the timing and operational impacts if the board moves forward.

Next steps: staff will await Cook County’s determination on assistance eligibility, continue internal planning for meter-reading and outreach, and return to the board with implementation details and any recommended ordinance language or effective dates.