Lyons to raise water rate as Chicago charges more

By Steve Metsch

With its hand forced by Chicago, the Lyons Village Board has unanimously approved an increase in the water rate.

The new rates will take effect March 1.

Lyons has no choice but to raise the rate since Chicago raised the rate it charges water suppliers that sell water to the village, Mayor Christopher Getty said.

They, in turn, increased what they charge Lyons, which had to increase what it charges users for water, Getty explained.

“It essentially raises the base rate by $2.30 a month. That comes out to $4.60 a bill,” Getty told the finance committee that met before the full village board meeting on Feb. 1.

Water bills are issued every two months in Lyons.

“As the city of Chicago raises its water rates, so does the village of McCook, as well as the Brookfield North Riverside Water Commission and the village of Brookfield, we purchase water from all those entities,” Getty said.

The vast majority – about 90 percent – of Lyons’ water is purchased from McCook, he said.

Here are the rate increases that are taking effect.

Residential base rate, per 1,000 gallons, is going from $11 to $12.

The rate after 4,000 gallons are used will increase from $11.65 to $12.50 for every 1,000 gallons used.

Large water users such as businesses that use more than 100,000 gallons of water will see a rate hike from $14 to $14.95

There’s also a modest hike of 60 cents to 75 cents for every 1,000 gallons of sewerage.

The village estimates that the average single-family residence that uses 7,000 gallons of water will see their bill increase $7.60 every two months, or $3.80 per month.

The minimum water bill will rise $4.60 for every two months, or $51 instead of $46.40.

“The last time we increased it, we only increased it after 4,000 gallons was used. This time, we changed it because this hits all the people who don’t use 4,000 gallons,” Getty said.

In the meantime, Lyons is still working on finding and repairing leaks in the village water system.

“It’s definitely a major issue,” Getty said. “It’s going well in the sense that we’re still finding leaks, but it’s very difficult to find leaks in the winter.”

Forty-two leaks were found in 2021. The vast majority were in residential service lines, Getty said.

In other business, Getty said the village is looking to hire a public works director to replace Ryan Grace, who is now the village administrator in Willow Springs.

In the meantime, Public Works Deputy Director Tito Rodriguez is acting as interim director.

“We’re not in a rush or hurry to replace (Grace) in his role,” Getty said. “Tito is doing an excellent job. No issues.”

The board meeting was held a day before the Feb. 2 storm dumped 10 to 12 inches of snow on Lyons.

Rodriguez said after the board meeting that the trucks and plows were ready for the storm.

“I’ve been involved in a couple of events that he’s worked,” Trustee Dan Hilker said “I don’t think our standards will be negotiated in that department.”

When Hilker asked if Rodriguez was a candidate for the full-time director’s job, Getty said, “Deputy director is always a natural for moving up, so we’ll see what it brings.”

Getty presented Grace with a plaque recognizing his four years as public works director. Grace, 38, who grew up in Lyons, resides in Darien.

“Thank you very much. I appreciate it,” Grace said. “Moving on to this new position was not an easy decision to make. My time spent here was a great experience.”

During public comments, resident Tom Weiner expressed concern because there was no padding on light poles at the bottom of the sledding hill in Veterans Park.

“I took my son sledding and I noticed safety concerns. The one basketball and a couple of light poles. There were a couple of close calls,” Weiner said.

Getty said Weiner made a good point about safety. “We can look into (placing) some bales of hay (near the poles),” the mayor said.