Glen Carbon Board Vote to Increase Water Rates Effective Jan.1

by Kathy Turner

The Glen Carbon Village Board on Tuesday, Nov. 12 approved a Finance Committee recommendation to increase water rates in the Village by 10% on Jan.1, 2025 and again on Jan. 1, 2026. The increase will be for both the service charge and the usage charge.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the service charge for in-village residents will increase to $7.15 and for non-village residents to $12.10. User fees per 1,000 gallons will also increase 10%, beginning at $6.73 for in-village and $8.01 for non-village for usage up to 1,000 gallons. The same 10% will be applied to usage breakdowns above the 1,000-gallon minimum.

Once the planning and construction of the new water facility moves forward, these rates may be re-evaluated based on recommendations of construction costs.

In other business, the board approved two short term rental agreements for the same property owner. The properties are located at 4510 S. State Route 159 and 436 E. Ingle and are owned by Arjun Shrestha. Both were approved for AirBNB short-term rentals.

The Board approved the final plat for the Hidden Hills Subdivision Phase 1. Included was an approval of a resubdivision of Lot 15 and Outlot B of the property.

On Mayor Bob Marcus’ recommendation, the Board approved the appointment of Nikki Zipfel to the Community Events Committee. The appointment will run from Nov. 12, 2024, through July 31, 2027.

The Board also approved a proclamation recognizing the Father McGivney High School Girls’ Tennis team. The team just completed a 15 and 2 season and had two state qualifiers – Kennedy Taylor and Natalie Beck as a doubles team. Members of the team were in attendance to receive the proclamation.

The 2025 Annual Village Budget was presented in preparation for the Public Hearing. The notice will be published announcing a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Glen Carbon Village Hall where members of the public will have a chance to ask questions. The budget is also on file at the Village Hall’s Finance Department located at 151 N. Main Street in Glen Carbon.

Finally, the Board approved the abatement of municipal real estate taxes on eight pieces of property located west of Route 157. The abatement is part of an agreement made with the property owners to allow their property to be annexed into the village and runs until the properties are sold or developed. The properties are currently farmland.

The next meeting of the board will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.