Village advances water-rate study and approves bond plan to finance $10M-plus utilities work

Village President Katie Kapaun and trustees voted on June 8 to move forward with a formal water-rate case and to pursue short-term revenue financing to cover a large slate of utility projects scheduled for 2027.

Ehlers consultant Peter Curtin told the board the village faces "over $10,000,000 of utilities projects happening in 2027" including a new water tower, a new well and a water-main extension. "The water rates have not been adjusted in 8 years for the Village of Roberts," Curtin said as he outlined a proposed schedule of increases: a 28.4% rise in 2027 (about $4.10 per 1,000 gallons), 3% annual increases through 2031, then an 8.47% step in 2032 to roughly $5.00 per 1,000 gallons for the following three years. Curtin recommended advancing to Phase 2 so Ehlers and village staff can prepare and file a Conventional Rate Case with the Public Service Commission (PSC).

Ehlers financial advisor Josh Low presented a presale plan for the necessary borrowing. After budget adjustments and negotiations, the board approved Resolution 2026-02, authorizing Revenue Bond Anticipation Notes not to exceed $10,710,000 to help fund the work; the motion passed without a formal roll-call tally recorded in the minutes. Curtin and Low explained the PSC timeline the board should expect: application preparation in the coming weeks, a PSC audit of past annual reports 2–3 months after filing, one or two public hearings thereafter, and implementation of new rates about one month after the public hearing.