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Mayor and staff clarify timing of West Frankfort water-rate increase amid member confusion
Summary
Council members discussed a water-rate increase adopted Nov. 25; officials said the rates took effect Jan. 1 and would show on customer bills in the following billing cycle, though the meeting record shows conflicting statements about whether that will be reflected on February or March bills.
Council members spent part of the Jan. 27 meeting clarifying when a water-rate increase adopted Nov. 25 will appear on customer bills.
Mayor Arv told the meeting the new rates took effect Jan. 1. "The increase took place on January 1st," the mayor stated. Staff and councilors then exchanged differing descriptions of which billing cycle would display the change; speakers variously referenced February 1, February 15 and March 1 as the date customers would see the rate reflected on their bills. City staff indicated bills are sent on the first of the month and due on the 15th; billing staff (Jacob Gas) stated bills are due on the 15th and confirmed staff expected the February billing cycle to show the January-rate usage.
Council members instructed staff to correct and post an explanatory notice on the city's Facebook page. The meeting record shows the council acknowledged confusion and directed staff to publish the clarified timing for residents.
