Exiting St. Charles City Council Raises Utility Rates

Residents should expect to see their city bills for electricity, water, sewer and trash hauling increase by $11.68 a month beginning in June after the exiting St. Charles City Council voted 8-2 Monday night to shore up the city’s enterprise funds.

The move came as no surprise — the city administration has given periodic reports over the past year about the enterprise funds, which have been running deficits. The rate increases also were publicized during the city’s annual budget process, which included reports before the council by Finance Director Chris Minick and representatives of the electrical, water and sewer departments.

The $11.68 a-month increase represents a 5 percent adjustment to electric rates, a 36 percent increase for water and a 20 percent bump for sewer charges, according to the administration.

The rate jump should be reflected in the city’s utility billings sent out in June.

Fourth Ward Aldermen Jim Martin and Jo Krieger were the only council members to vote against the increases.

The action was among the last for this City Council — another being a 30-day extension to City Administrator Brian Townsend’s contract. The meeting would adjourn with 1^st Ward Alderman Jon Monken stepping down, along with Mayor Don DeWitte, their terms at an official end as a new mayor and City Council sat in the wings, waiting to be sworn in to office.

The adjournment was less of a conclusion for 2^nd Ward Alderman Cliff Carrignan. The Kane County Elections Office is scheduled to recount the Ward 2 ballots later this week — only five votes separated Carrignan from the apparent winner, former Alderman Arthur J. Lemke. The difference was low enough to trigger the recount.

Either way, all three said their goodbyes, Carrignan admitting to hopes that the recount would allow his return.

Still, Lemke was sworn into office just as were the other newly elected and re-elected city officials, who then held their own, first meeting as the new City Council.

Farewells

DeWitte, as the meeting was nearing an end, presented Monken and Carrignan with framed photographs of St. Charles in appreciation for their City Council service.

All three praised their fellow City Council members and a city staff they commended as dedicated professionals.

But they also thanked their supporters — and their families for the sacrifices they’ve made during their years in office.

Carrignan’s closing remarks were quite poignant. His father died recently, and he thanks those who had reached out to him to express their condolences.

He also thanked DeWitte for his leadership and his friendship, and expressed hardy support for incoming Mayor Ray Rogina.

“We believe in your vision to make St. Charles a better place,” he said. Then, turning to his wife, Michele, thanked her as well. “... It’s been rough. Thank you so much for everything.”

DeWitte, his voice sometimes cracking with emotion, commended the council members, the city staff, and his wife, Diane. “It’s been a hell of ride for the past 20 years, and a lot of people are responsible for that.”

“The true spirit of the political process … we may disagree, but we always have to be friends in the end,” he said.

He, too, thanks the residents of St. Charles for putting him into office — he served three terms totaling 12 years as alderman before his two four-year terms as mayor.

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