Utility bills in the city of East Moline will likely not rise again. Alderman voted 5-1 against the plan on Monday, March 3rd, 2014 to raise rates.
The city has dealt with bad sewer problems lately in the Babcock area of the city. Leaders have also had to deal with increasing costs to the water and sewage systems. Stanley Consultants did a study for the city that showed how much a person's utility bill would rise in order to make up those costs. The average utility bill would have increased about $9 a month in the first year. It would then rise by a smaller amount in future years.
However, alderman voted not to look at increasing the rates on Monday night. Now, city leaders will have to look at other ways to cut the budget. City staff will come back with that report to East Moline Mayor John Thodos in the next two to three months.
Thodus says the city may not be able to replace one of its water towers because of the vote. The last time that utility bills will rise in the city is September of this year. That increase was passed by a previous city council though.