PEKIN, Ill. — The primary takeaway for water and sewer utility customers in Pekin is their rates will remain the same, however the relationship between local elected leaders and Pekin’s appointed City Manager may be a bit strained.
During a special city council meeting Tuesday evening, Pekin Council members unanimously rejected a proposal from City Manager Mark Rothert to increase water rates.
He wanted to use the rate increase to subsequently increase local revenue for sewer and water system upgrades by $1.9 million.
Rothert also indicated the recent wave of federal “American Recovery Act” funding would need to be replaced.
However, during the meeting, council members peppered Rothert with questions about his water rate proposal and pointed out areas where they felt money could be found elsewhere to cover water system improvements.
The final vote was 7 to 0 against Rothert’s proposal and the vote met a round of applause by those observing the meeting.
Currently, Pekin City Code establishes a volumetric wastewater rate of $7.66 per 1,000 gallons of metered water consumption for the use of and for service supplied by the wastewater facilities of the City of Pekin.
