Board approves 24-cent-per-thousand-gallons pass-through from supplier, raising village usage rate

Summary

To cover an increase passed from Countryside (and upstream suppliers), trustees approved an ordinance to raise the village water usage rate by 24 cents per 1,000 gallons (a 1.89% increase), matching the supplier increase; staff said a broader review of rates will follow as part of the IEPA planning work.

The Village of Indian Head Park Board of Trustees on July 10 approved an ordinance to increase the village’s water usage rate by 24 cents per 1,000 gallons — a 1.89% change — to match a surcharge being passed through from the village’s supplier, Countryside. Gavin said Countryside is passing along increases it receives from McCook/Chicago and the village’s ordinance change would align local rates with that upstream adjustment.

Gavin emphasized the action before the board was a pass-through of increased wholesale costs: “If we do not approve it, then we eat the 24¢. If we approve it, we pass on the 24¢,” he told trustees. He said the village will update comparative rate analyses as part of next year’s budget work and that the IEPA project plan would provide fuller information about the true costs of providing water and guidance for setting rates that reflect infrastructure and operating costs.

Trustees approved the ordinance by a recorded vote of 5-0. The vote implements the supplier pass-through immediately; the board did not adopt a multi-year rate strategy at this meeting.