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Resident asks council why Vandalia utility fee is a flat monthly charge
Summary
During public comment resident Mike Moore asked why the city charges a roughly $90 monthly utility fee that he said does not vary with consumption; city staff offered to provide a published breakdown showing what the flat charge covers (infrastructure, sewer, trash, repairs).
At the May 4 Vandalia council meeting resident Mike Moore used the public‑comment period to question the city's monthly utility charge, saying he was billed about $90 and that the amount did not change whether he used little or a lot of water.
Moore asked whether the charge had been adopted by ordinance or resolution and whether residents had a say in the policy. Mayor Richard Herbst and staff responded that the city has published materials explaining the composition of the monthly fee — which includes infrastructure, sewer, trash and repair costs — and offered to provide Moore with a breakdown showing how each dollar is allocated.
Moore also raised a separate concern about several large unmarked black SUVs he saw parked near the municipal building; staff and council said those were private vehicles belonging to employees or visitors, not city‑owned vehicles.
The exchange took place during the public comment segment; no council action was taken on utility rates during the meeting. Council offered to supply documentation on the fee breakdown for Moore and other residents.
