Glen Ellyn Opts for Water Fee to Fund Fire Company

With the hopes of addressing a revenue shortage at the Glen Ellyn Volunteer Fire Department, the Glen Ellyn village board on Tuesday decided to add a flat water fee for residents instead of increasing property taxes within the village, according to the Daily Herald. 

The Daily Herald reports the monthly rate increase would amount to $8 for a single-family home, $12.50 for commercial units and $5 for those living in multi-family units, according to preliminary numbers. 

The volunteer fire department relies mainly on donations from its annual money drive and currently has two trucks, both about 20 years old, that need to be replaced "for about $500,000 each" and another truck that will need to be replaced in coming years for $1.3 million, according to the Suburban Life Media. 

The fire company also expects to build a new fire station in the next decade and needs to hire additional support staff, according to Suburban Life Media.