At their meeting on Tuesday, March 4th, the council approved an ordinance to increase the rates for water system facilities, effective May 1, 2025.
The $1.95 rate increase is part of the village’s plan to keep up with the rate increase schedule in small increments. The base cost for water services will go from $38.50 to $40.45, and $3.80 to $4.00 for any use over 3,000 gallons. The minimum residential utility bill will go from $89.77 to $91.72 with the new fiscal year on May 1st.
Since the council increased sewer rates last year, they agreed to hold off on increasing that rate this year. There will be one more increase to both water and sewer rates next year to get aligned with the schedule provided by Willett, Hofmann & Associates. Village Clerk Jamie McIntire said that signs will be posted about the increase and printed in the April utility bill.
Also in new business, the council also approved hiring CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) of Dixon for the fiscal year 2024-2025 audit. The village has been working with this auditing firm since 2022.
Reports of Village Officials
Mayor Bruce Peltier reported that all information has been submitted for the DCEO infrastructure grant. He also reminded citizens that the April 1st election will be held at the Reagan Community Center gym and encouraged everyone to vote. Commissioner Jim Coleman said that if Whiteside County’s public safety sales tax referendum passes, everyone who makes a purchase in Whiteside County would be taxed, not just the residents of the county.
Commissioner Sherry Coleman said there’s been a lot of good information online about the details of the referendum and hopefully voters have more knowledge on the issue. Peltier spoke with Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker about the referendum, and the village would not have to pay the $17,384 if it does pass because it would cover operating costs. If there’s money left over, it stays in that fund and can only be used for expenses related to the 911 call center, he reported.
Unfinished Business
Peltier said they’re waiting on Tampico Township to provide the legal paperwork for moving forward on leasing the village-owned lot next to the Township building. He’ll be meeting with Tampico Township Road Commissioner Greg Cole to discuss what other donations they’ve received for the digital video billboard, since they still needed about $8,000 after the last meeting. “I think they’re open to whatever donation we’re comfortable with providing,” said Peltier.
Cole also stated at last month’s meeting that residents could pay to put a birthday message or other messages on the board, with those funds to go back to the village. Peltier said the lease to set it up on village property would be minimal and like the Tampico Men’s Club building. He’ll ask Cole if they have any other possible locations in mind, and the council suggested getting more digital billboard quotes from other businesses as well.
Building Permits
Building permits approved by Zoning Administrator Tyler Chriest were: 201 E. Market St. – Roof; and 308 E. Third St. – Skid Shed.
Communications
McIntire reported that Attorney Bill Shirk is still working on the update to the Building Code and it might be on the next meeting agenda for approval.
Special Meeting
The council met prior to the regular meeting to discuss 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Appropriations. Clerk McIntire provided numbers and figures from past budgets and the current figures for the current budget fiscal year.
Each department budget was reviewed, with changes being made where needed. They made some adjustments so they can purchase a generator for one of the lift stations and a new fire hydrant to replace one that’s currently inoperable. Both purchases would affect the water/sewer appropriate line items.
A final review and approval of the budget will be on the agenda at the next regular meeting of the Tampico Village Council on Tuesday, March 18th at 7 p.m. in the Reagan Community Center, 202 W. Second Street.
