BELLEVILLE — The City Council on Monday voted 15-0 to reduce the sewer bills of customers who used more water during the unusually hot and dry summer.
The city bills sewer customers based on their water usage. Residents who used more water to fill swimming pools or maintain vegetation during the summer drought saw their sewer bill go up.
The ordinance will allow Belleville Treasurer Jerry Turner and his staff to review such cases and make adjustments based on the average of three month's usage.
Turner said, in one case this summer, a customer's water usage went from 11 units one month to 39 units the next, so the sewer bill jumped from $40.64 to $121.71.
The resident should pay the water bill but not for extra sewer use, Turner said.
Customers qualify for a one-time adjustment if the use was three units beyond average in the months of May through September
Residents and business owners who believe they should get a price adjustment should contact Turner's office for more information at 233-6810.
Ward 3 Alderman Rob Anderson was absent.
In other news:
* Aldermen voted 12-3 to approve an $18,426 contract with EFK Moen LLC to design a bridge for the entrance to Bicentennial Park. City engineer Tim Gregowicz estimated it will cost an additional $250,000 to build the bridge.
Ward 2 Alderwoman Melinda Hult, Ward 7 Alderwoman Lillian Schneider and Ward 8 Alderman Joe Orlet voted "no."
* Aldermen voted 15-0 to approve a $33,610 contract with Hank's Excavating, paid for out of Belleville TIF No. 3, for a retaining wall at Citizens Park.
* Aldermen voted 15-0 to approve a $19,334 contract with Ehret Plumbing for manhole replacement at South 16th Street and Franklin Avenue.
* Aldermen approved a $14,750 contract with Lafser and Associates to complete an application for a National Register Historic District zone. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency will reimburse the city 70 percent.
Contact reporter Jacqueline Lee at jlee@bnd.com or 239-2655. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/BNDBelleville.
