Talk of the Town with Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges

Each week we ask a village mayor, school administrator or board member three questions. This week we asked St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges to discuss the village’s sewer rate increase.

This post is sponsored by St. Joseph Siding and Window.


Why was the rate increase necessary?
The rate increase was necessary due to the fact that the village sewer rates have had only two rate increases since 2004.  Over the last 15 years our rates have been falling behind due to yearly cost increases for running the sewer plant.  The village sewer plant is over 40 years old.  The plant is reaching capacity, in need of equipment replacements, safety upgrades, repairs to aging infrastructure, increased cost for chemicals and employees, new requirements from the IEPA for Phosphorus Removal, and if the village wants to have any room for future growth we need to plan for expansion to the sewer plant.  The rate increase plan is not only needed for current issues, but also for the future of the Village of St. Joseph.  Through the rate increase study we are able to move forward into the next 15 years with a plan for the future.

Why was the switch to monthly billing done?
The village decided to change the billing procedure to hopefully make it easier for the village residents.  A few years ago Illinois American Water changed to a monthly billing cycle and it has been harder for residents to track their water usage to their sewer bill.  With this change, the village residents will be able to see that their previous water bill will show the same usage as their sewer bill the following month.  For an example, the water usage billed by the water company in May will be the same usage for the June village sewer bill.  

If residents have questions regarding their bill, who should they contact?
For questions or concerns about the sewer bills, they need to contact the Village Office during our new office hours:  Monday thru Friday , 7 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.  Between 12:30 to 1:00 the office is closed.  Village residents can either visit our office or call 217-469-7371.  Ask for Debbie and she will be more than happy to answer their questions.