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Belvidere council approves 52-cent sewer rate hike to fund wastewater plant work
Summary
Belvidere City Council approved an initial 52-cent sewer-rate increase, raising the average monthly bill by about $4.17 to fund design and future repayment of an $87.3 million wastewater treatment plant project; the ordinance will be drafted by the city attorney.
Belvidere City Council on April 27 approved an initial 52-cent increase to the sewer rate, a move the city says is necessary to help repay an $87.3 million wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) improvement loan and fund near-term design work.
Director Anderson told the council the sewer-rate change, effective May 1, 2026 if enacted in ordinance form, will add about $4.17 to the typical monthly bill — raising it to roughly $52.62 for a 6,000-gallon month — and represents a 9.9% increase from current levels. "I would recommend an initial increase of 52 cents to the sewer rate effective May 1st, 2026," he said.
Why it matters: Anderson said the WWTP project will require annual debt service of about $3.9 million beginning in 2032 and that a series of increases over the next five to six years is expected to be necessary to meet those obligations. He also noted existing local bills average substantially below regional comparators: the city's current average water-and-sewer bill is about $48.45 versus a cited regional average of $78.54 for 6,000 gallons.
Council discussion focused on how the additional revenue will be accounted for. Anderson said the extra money will flow into the utility's bottom line and be accumulated in depreciation/reserve accounts to support future payments rather than immediately being placed in a separate bond account. Alderman Peterson asked whether increases would be specifically earmarked for bond payments; Anderson said revenues historically flow to operations and then transfers to depreciation or capital as needed for debt service and projects.
The motion to proceed with the rate increase and send an ordinance to the city attorney for drafting was approved by voice vote. The council chairman said the city would continue to monitor usage and revenue — noting future large water users coming online could affect the long-term picture — and that subsequent annual adjustments may be considered.
Next steps: The approved direction sends an ordinance to the city attorney for preparation; the council will consider formal adoption of the ordinance in a future meeting.
