The Pekin City Council took three steps Monday aimed at putting the city back on its financial feet.
Each step approved by the council during a draining four-hour meeting will cause city residents, businesses and other taxing bodies to reach deeper into their pockets.
A new 5% utility tax was approved 4-3. Mayor Mary Burress and council members John Abel, Karen Hohimer and Chris Onken voted yes. Council members Rick Hilst, Dave Nutter and Lloyd Orrick cast the no votes.
A proposal to raise the citys garbage collection fee passed by the same vote. A proposal to raise the citys wastewater and storm water collection and treatment fees passed 5-2, with Hilst and Nutter dissenting.
Burress, who made a campaign promise not to vote to raise fees or taxes, said she had to change her mind when she learned about the citys money woes.
“But years of deep and very wide spread malpractice and neglect by prior administrations who were whistling past the graveyard has put us in this precarious position.
“Its time to put the failures of the past behind us and confront our issues head on,” she said. “Thats why all of us up here were elected, to make tough decisions for the greater good.
“I believe Pekin has a bright future. Were on a path to prosperity and growth. This city needs to be run like a business, and thats what were going to do.”
Onken said he also was adamantly opposed to the proposals at first, but when he ran some numbers past “someone smarter than me, my wife, who is a numbers person,” he changed his mind.
“We asked our department heads to make cuts to get us out of the hole our former finance director put us in, and theyve done that,” Hohimer said.
Those cuts amounted to $5 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which was approved Monday by a 4-3 vote with Hilst, Nutter and Orrick voting no.
The budget contains an $11.81 million deficit, with revenues of $105.22 million and expenditures of $117.03 million.
The cuts Hohimer mentioned include not hiring for two positions, reducing fleet replacement to a bare minimum to remain operational, according to City Manager John Dossey, delaying the next phase of the Derby Street reconstruction project and most downtown street improvements, and trimming business assistance grants by 34%.
The citys financial problems mainly involve a combined sewer overflow project mandated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and a consent decree issued in response to a federal class-action lawsuit filed in 2018 by Pekin residents who complained that the citys pedestrian walkways were largely inaccessible for people with mobility issues.
To make matters worse, “I discovered there were structural issues within the budget that werent allowing the city to address those mandates properly,” said interim Finance Director Bob Grogan.
Dossey, who became city manager in November, said another financial issue is the citys past payments to the police and fire pension funds were too low at approximately 95%. Raising the payments to 100% has added about $1.2 million in spending to the budget, Dossey said.
The new utility tax, which goes into effect May 1 and be collected by utility companies, covers natural gas, water and electricity.
Natural gas and water bills will be taxed at 5%. Electricity bills will have a tiered taxing system based on usage.
A resident with average utility usage will pay an additional $10 per month because of the utility tax, according to Dossey. Orrick calculated hell pay an additional $13 monthly.
A cap of $250,000 annually for a taxpayer was put in place to help high energy users, which tend to be large employers.
City staff estimates the utility tax will raise $4 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year. Dossey said those funds will address an expected $5 million shortfall in the 2024-25 budgets general fund.
Dossey noted that many medium to large communities in the area have put a utility tax in place including Peoria, Galesburg, Bloomington, Normal, Champaign, Urbana, Rockford, Moline, Rock Island and Decatur.
Pekins garage collection and wastewater and storm water fees had not been raised since 2018. Proposed increases were delayed by the council because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That has resulted in the solid waste fund owing $1 million to the general fund and the sewer fund owing $11 million to the general fund.
The $20 monthly garbage collection fee will go up to $25 on May 1 and increase $1 per year through 2029.
The volumetric rate for wastewater and storm water will go up from $7.66 to $10.70 per 1,000 gallons of water used monthly on May 1 and increase by 5% annually.
The monthly wastewater and storm water capital improvement fee will go up from $4.41 to $4.90 on May 1 and increase by 5% annually.
An estimated $708,600 will be raised in the 2024-25 fiscal year by the increased garbage collection fee.
“Aside from covering regularly increasing expenses, the additional revenue from the garage collection fee increase will be used to pay back the money the solid waste fund owes to the general fund and pay capital costs (like the purchase of garbage trucks) previously paid with general fund dollars, ” Dossey said.
The projected revenue from the wastewater and storm water fee increases is $2.38 million in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Those funds will cover increasing expenses and pay back the money the sewer fund owes to the general fund, Dossey said, help pay off the EPA loan debt service for the mandated CSO project, “and create a true preventative maintenance program to be more financially responsible over time.”
Grogan said a finance team made up mostly of city staff will be formed to dig deeper into the citys finances and provide regular reports to the council, which has asked for more frequent and detailed reports.
Are you a Pekin resident struggling to figure out how to pay your wastewater bill? You’re not alone! Many of us have stood staring at that sewer invoice wondering about the best way to handle it I’ve put together this comprehensive guide to make the entire process smooth and hassle-free for you,
Understanding Your Pekin Wastewater Bill
Before diving into payment methods, let’s break down what you’re actually paying for. The City of Pekin calculates your sewer charges based on information they receive from Illinois-American Water Company. Your bill includes two main components:
- Volumetric Rate: This is based on your actual water usage
- Capital Improvement Charge: This is billed monthly to every property owner in Pekin city limits regardless of usage or occupancy
The city bills you the month following service, and your water meter information from IL-American appears in the meter information box on your bill.
How Your Bill Is Calculated
If you’re wondering about the math behind your charges here’s the simple formula
Gallons × Volumetric rate + Capital Improvement Charge = Total Charge for that monthFor residential homeowners, Pekin offers a “winter average” program. Your usage from November through April is averaged, and this average is used for billing unless your actual metered usage during summer is less. New customers without a full period of service history may be assigned an average of no more than 2,500 gallons per household.
Ways to Pay Your Pekin Wastewater Bill
Now for the important part – how to actually pay that bill! You’ve got several options:
1. Online Payment Through Green Pay
The most convenient method is paying online through Green Pay. Here’s how
- Visit the Green Pay login page at www.green-pay.us/epay/login.html
- You have two options:
- Registered Users: Log in with your email and password
- One-Time Payment: Click the “Make a Payment!” button if you don’t want to register
Creating an account has advantages – you can track payment history and manage multiple accounts. But the one-time payment option works great if you just want to get it done quickly!
2. Go Green with Electronic Bill Pay
The City of Pekin encourages residents to “Go Green” by signing up for electronic bill pay. This method allows you to:
- Receive invoices days faster than through US Mail
- Have a digital record of all payments
- Help reduce paper waste
To sign up, visit www.ci.pekin.il.us and click on the “Pay Wastewater Bill Here” link. First-time users can register and add individual or multiple utility accounts.
3. In-Person Payment
Some of us still prefer the old-fashioned way! You can pay your bill in person at:
Pekin City Hall
111 S. Capitol St.
Pekin, Illinois 61554
Their office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Important Things to Remember About Your Wastewater Bill
Garbage Collection Included
Your wastewater bill also includes garbage fees. These are invoiced to all residential property owners regardless of occupancy or use. Since April 26, 2021, bulk items are collected for a $10.00 large item sticker that can be purchased at City Hall.
Late Payment Penalties
Nobody likes to talk about late fees, but it’s important to know that overdue sewer balances will be charged a 10% penalty. The city reminds residents that when even one person fails to pay, it reduces services and resources for everyone.
Troubleshooting Your Bill
Having questions about your bill is totally normal. If something doesn’t look right or you need clarification, the city provides dedicated support:
- Phone: 309-478-5394
- Email: [email protected]
Don’t hesitate to reach out – they’re there to help!
Winter Averaging: A Money-Saving Feature
I think the winter averaging system deserves a bit more explanation because it can actually save you money!
During the warmer months, many households use more water for things like gardening, washing cars, or filling pools. This water doesn’t enter the sewer system, but without winter averaging, you’d be charged sewer fees as if it did.
By using your winter water usage (November-April) as a baseline, Pekin ensures you’re not overcharged for water that never enters the sewer system. This is especially beneficial for:
- Gardening enthusiasts
- Families with swimming pools
- Anyone who waters their lawn regularly
Bulk Item Collection: What You Need to Know
Since I mentioned the $10.00 sticker requirement for bulk items, let me clarify what counts as a “bulk item”:
- Furniture (couches, chairs, tables)
- Large appliances
- Mattresses and box springs
- Other items too large for regular garbage collection
To dispose of these items properly:
- Purchase a $10.00 large item sticker from City Hall
- Attach the sticker to the item
- Place it with your regular garbage for collection
Capital Improvement Charge: Where Your Money Goes
The Capital Improvement Charge that appears on every bill helps fund critical infrastructure projects throughout Pekin. This includes:
- Sewer line replacements and repairs
- Wastewater treatment facility upgrades
- Stormwater management systems
- Other essential water infrastructure improvements
While nobody loves paying bills, this charge ensures our community’s wastewater system remains reliable and efficient for years to come.
FAQs About Pekin Wastewater Billing
Q: Why is my wastewater bill based on my water usage?
A: Most wastewater systems calculate charges based on water consumption because it’s the most accurate way to estimate how much water enters the sewer system from your property.
Q: I have a water leak. Will I be charged sewer fees for this water?
A: Unfortunately, yes. Since the water meter doesn’t distinguish between water used normally and water from leaks, you’ll be charged for all water passing through the meter. That’s why it’s important to fix leaks promptly!
Q: Can I set up automatic payments for my wastewater bill?
A: Yes! When you register on the online payment system, you can set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date.
Q: What if I’m moving out of my property?
A: Contact the utility billing department at 309-478-5394 to let them know about your move so they can update their records accordingly.
Q: Is there assistance available if I can’t afford to pay my bill?
A: Contact the utility billing department to discuss your situation. They may be able to provide information about payment plans or assistance programs.
Conclusion: Staying on Top of Your Pekin Wastewater Bill
Managing your Pekin wastewater bill doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you prefer the convenience of online payments or the personal touch of paying in person, the City of Pekin offers multiple options to suit your preferences.
Remember these key points:
- Your bill includes both a Volumetric Rate and a Capital Improvement Charge
- Winter averaging can help save money during summer months
- Online payment through Green Pay is the fastest method
- City Hall staff are available to help with questions
- Paying on time helps maintain quality service for the entire community
Non-union employees get a 3% cost-of-living pay hike
Pekins non-union employees were granted a 3% cost-of-living pay increase for the 2024-25 fiscal year Monday. The council vote was 5-2, with Hilst and Nutter voting no.
“While the citys budget is under pressure, its still imperative to maintain competitive pay and benefits to avoid the much more damaging effect of losing skilled employees,” Dossey said.
Hilst said the employees deserve the raise, but the city cant afford it.
Burress praised city staff “who were doing two or three jobs to keep us going,” during a recent stretch of vacancies.
