Elmhurst's 27% Water Rate Hike Clears Hurdle

ELMHURST, IL – A key Elmhurst City Council committee on Monday recommended a 27 percent increase in water rates, including a discount for lower-income senior citizens.

The rate increase is expected to go to the City Council on Feb. 6 for a final decision. If it passes, the measure will take effect at the beginning of March.

All four members of the Finance Committee – Chairwoman Noel Talluto and members James Nudera, Rex Irby and Chris Jensen – approved the 27 percent hike. They belong to the 14-member council.

One of the sticking points was how to handle senior citizens on fixed incomes.

Members decided to give discounts to lower-income seniors eligible for the assessment freeze. Seniors would see their bills go up by about $5, less of an increase than other residents.

The discount is expected to only last nine months to a year.

Later this year, committee members plan to examine a tiered rate structure, with larger users paying considerably more for water. Such rates, they said, would help smaller users such as seniors on fixed incomes.

Of Elmhurst's 15,600 households, 535, or 3.5 percent, receive the senior assessment freeze, according to the city. The discount would cost the city about $120,000 a year.

"This hits what we're trying to tackle – seniors with fixed incomes," Nudera said.

Talluto said the committee was "ripping the Band-Aid off" with an immediate increase. By contrast, a gradual rise in rates would increase costs over the long run, she said.

At a meeting two weeks ago, officials spoke about the need for water and sewer rate hikes.