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Robbins board approves routine measures and schedules public meeting on proposed water-rate hike
Summary
At its Sept. 9 meeting the Village of Robbins board unanimously approved several routine measures — including a Cook County Sheriff's Office MOU, a treasurer appointment and a Sept. 27 street closure — and set a public meeting to review proposed water-rate increases before any vote.
The Village of Robbins mayor and board of trustees approved a package of routine measures Tuesday night and set a public committee meeting to consider a proposed water-rate increase.
At the regular meeting in the Robbins courtroom on Sept. 9, 2025, Mayor Darren E. Bryant opened by noting festival and street-repair work and telling residents that $489,300 in funds for the village-hall renovation remain pending with the comptroller; trustees then moved through consent items and several resolutions. Trustees unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Cook County Sheriff's Office; a resolution appointing a village treasurer (Resolution 9-9-25 R); a resolution related to the Illinois Municipal League conference (Resolution 9-9-25 R1); an authorization to transfer Verizon service for the Cook County Emergency Telephone System Board; and a street closure for Sept. 27 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. along 139th from Central Park to Lawndale. The board also accepted the treasurer's report showing $458,560.85 in reported funds.
Votes at a glance: Trustees recorded unanimous roll-call "ayes" for minutes approval (regular and special, 8-26-25), acceptance of the treasurer's report, the Cook County Sheriff's Office MOU, the treasurer appointment (Res. 9-9-25 R), the IML conference resolution (Res. 9-9-25 R1), the Verizon service-transfer authorization, and the Sept. 27 street closure. Motion makers and seconders were recorded in the meeting minutes for each item and each vote was recorded as "ayes" by Trustees Dyson, Maxey, Harper, Kelly, Holmes and Collier.
On the more substantive budgetary issue before the board, Mayor Bryant and trustees discussed raising water rates after several years without an increase. The mayor said the City of Chicago has raised its rates annually and asked staff for projections before any decision. Trustee Michael Collier Sr. cited approximate past increases of 3.37% for 2023 and 4% for 2024 and the board set a public committee meeting to discuss rates with residents; Sept. 25 was suggested as a potential date. The mayor said he would send a robocall and a text alert once a meeting date is final.
During the public-comment period residents raised several service and billing concerns. Ms. Fulson asked whether a senior rate is a flat fee and noted historical disconnection practices; Mr. Collier (a resident) said he had not been receiving water bills on time. Ms. Echols praised Chief White "for keeping it calm & collected during the festival weekend," and Ms. Ratliff and Ms. Murphy offered positive remarks about the parade and festival. Holly Dupart reintroduced herself to the board seeking a letter of support for manufacturing cannabis at the former Manny's building and said projected revenue to the village would be "about 3%"; she was advised to take the proposal back to the planning and zoning board for formal review.
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel, litigation, property acquisition and investments under the cited Illinois statutes, then reconvened and adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
The board packet includes a detailed statement of accounts and investment balances across multiple funds and grants; trustees accepted the treasurer's report presented at the meeting. The village plans a public meeting before any vote on water rates; residents seeking more information were directed to village communications and text alerts.
