Mazon committee weighs water-rate changes to address five-year Water Fund shortfall

The Village of Mazon Water/Sewer Committee on Dec. 8, 2025 reviewed an Illinois Rural Water Association (IRWA) analysis that shows the Water Fund has run a shortfall for the last five years and discussed changes to the rate structure to close the gap. Committee member M. Murphy presented the analysis and said audits historically combined water and sewer revenues and expenses, which masked the water deficit because the sewer fund is profitable.

Committee member J. Kowalewski recommended lowering the billed base rate to 1,000 gallons and adding $1.00 to all water rates; D. Punke agreed. Kowalewski also proposed splitting the existing 3,001–15,000 usage tier into two tiers — 3,001–8,000 and 8,001–15,000 — noting that most residents use less than 8,000 gallons. M. Murphy said she will add the recommended changes to the committee's next agenda for further consideration. No formal vote was recorded during the meeting.

The IRWA offered two minimum options in its analysis: lowering the base to 1,000 gallons alone, or lowering the base to 1,000 gallons and adding $0.50 to all water rates. According to the committee discussion, the first option would not meet the state's minimum fund-percentage expectation; the second option would bring the village only to the state's minimum. Kowalewski and Punke favored a more aggressive price increase ($1.00) than the IRWA's second recommendation.

J. Frederick raised the long-term funding stakes, saying the village may face the prospect of selling its water system if it cannot generate sufficient revenue and prepare for replacement costs. The committee did not adopt a formal ordinance or rate schedule at the meeting; next steps are to place the recommended changes on a future agenda for formal consideration.