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Resident calls 8,000‑gallon minimum unfair, urges per‑use billing or service fee
Summary
During public comment a resident argued the village's 8,000‑gallon billing minimum disproportionately charges low users and suggested charging per actual usage, adding a per‑household service fee, or relying on a debt‑reduction charge to cover fixed costs.
A resident during public comment said the village's practice of charging a minimum of 8,000 gallons of water is unfair because low‑use households must pay an extra amount while higher‑use customers do not pay proportionally more.
"I think that charging a minimum of 8,000 gallons of water is an unfair way of billing for the water and sewer," the resident said, urging the board to bill customers for actual usage or add a service fee per household. The commenter proposed a combination approach: bill actual water use, collect a modest per‑household service fee to cover fixed infrastructure costs, and continue a debt‑reduction charge to retire loans.
The resident also suggested the board consider changes to garbage service—such as stickers or tiered container sizes—when negotiating the upcoming contract, and offered to work with the finance committee on alternative rate designs. Board members acknowledged the concerns and directed staff and the finance committee to develop a formal proposal for the next meeting.
