Oak Park approves modest water, sewer and refuse rate changes for 2026
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Summary
The village board approved a combination of volumetric and fixed adjustments to the water and sewer rates and a roughly 3% update to refuse rates, including a refuse-sticker price change from $3.25 to $4 to reflect disposal costs; staff said the moves stabilize cash flow for 2026 and are part of a multi-year planning process.
The Oak Park Village Board approved rate changes affecting water, sewer and waste collection that staff described as necessary to stabilize enterprise funds in 2026 while staff develops a five-year plan.
Public Works Director Rob Sproul told trustees the village is recommending a mix of volumetric increases and a higher fixed fee for water and sewer to move the fund away from relying solely on consumption-based revenue. "What we're recommending this year is a combination of both, a volumetric rate change along with a fixed rate change," Sproul said, adding that the adjustments are expected to leave the fund cash-neutral for 2026 while a consultant crafts a longer plan.
Sproul said the fund faces a roughly $2,000,000 gap in revenue versus expenditures for 2026 if no change is made, but noted the village maintains an operating reserve (roughly $6 million by staff estimate) that would prevent insolvency. He also said the finance committee reviewed and supported the recommendation.
On refuse and recycling, staff proposed a roughly 3% general rate increase and a targeted correction to sticker pricing: refuse (pink) stickers would rise to $4, about a 75-cent increase, reflecting landfill disposal costs that do not apply to compost (green) stickers. Sproul explained disposal and collection contracts include CPI escalators and the sticker differential reflects the village absorbing past disposal costs.
Trustees asked about incentives to boost recycling and composting; staff said recycling carts are provided at no extra cost and a village waste-characterization study is underway, with early results expected to inform contracting and outreach in the coming months. Composting subscription participation is about 30% and staff hopes to grow it to roughly 34% next year.
Votes: The board approved both the water/sewer first-reading-and-waive (to move forward) and the environmental-services rate adjustments by roll call.
Ending: Staff will return next year with the five-year rate plan, options for funding sustainability programs and final rate schedules for additional public review.