Water & Garbage Ordinance 2023-05

VILLAGE OF BISHOP HILL

HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS

ORDINANCE 2023-05

ORDINANCE 2023-05 AMENDS and REPLACES ORDINANCE 2022-02 dated August 3, 2022.

Ordinance 2023-05 of the Village of Bishop Hill will have the following sections amended:

Section 6, paragraph (2) incorporates additional regulations and Section 7 titled “Rate Schedule”; paragraph (1) titled “Water Service” and paragraph (2) titled “Garbage Service”.  This amendment increases both water and garbage rates.  Upon passage, ORDINANCE 2023-05 will replace all previous ordinances regulating the Water and Garbage Utilities of the Village of Bishop Hill.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BISHOP HILL, HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS AS FOLLOWS:

Section 6.     Payment of Bills.

(1)   Date Due.  All charges for water and garbage services shall be due to the Village on the FIRST day of each month.  NO statements will be mailed to the customer.  All payments due to the Village for water and garbage service shall be paid to the Village Clerk or other designated representative of the Village.

(2)   Customers.  The owner of the premises, including landlords, (referred to in the ordinance as the “customer” or “customers”) shall be liable to pay for the services to the premises, and the water and garbage service is being furnished by the Village only upon the condition that the owner of the premises is liable to the Village for said services. All customers shall be required to pay the monthly service charge for water and garbage collection, whether or not they use said services.  Any customer requesting their water be temporarily turned on or off (i.e., snow bird/vacation) will be assessed a $25 fee to turn the water off and an additional $25 fee to turn the water on.  The customer must be onsite before the water can be turned on or off. An appointment can be scheduled by calling the village clerk at 309-927-3583 or via email at bishophill.village.board@gmail.com.  If the water supervisor arrives at appointed time and the on/off service cannot be completed, the $25 charge will still be accessed against the customer.  The current monthly charge for water can be eliminated for any FULL MONTHS the WATER IS SHUT OFF.  The $8 garbage fee will remain in effect. 

(3)   Penalty for Late Payment and Termination of Services.  A penalty charge of Twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month shall be assessed on all water and garbage bills which remain delinquent more than ONE (1) month following the due date of the bill.  The penalty charge of $25.00 per month shall be assessed until paid in full.  If the water service is TERMINATED, all delinquent amounts and a reconnection fee of One Hundred Fifty dollars ($150.00) must be paid before water service is restored.  Seventy-five dollars ($75.00) of the reconnection fee will be for the Village and seventy-five dollars ($75.00) will be for the Water Supervisor.  All payments of delinquent bills, late fees, and reconnection fees must be paid by a money order.  NO CASH will be allowed for payment of delinquent bills, late fees, or reconnection fees.

(4)   Water Review Board.  There will not be a Water Review Board.

(5)   Termination Proceedings.  If the charges for water service, garbage service, late fees or any one of them, are not paid within two (2) months after payment of the bill for such service is due, the Village Clerk or Water Supervisor shall give written notice to the customer of such service by U.S. Mail or hand delivered.  Customers shall have thirty (30) days to pay all delinquent charges and late fees.  If the delinquent charges and late fees are not paid by the first day of the 4th month, the water service will be terminated.  If the water supervisor is on the premises to terminate the water services, the customer must still pay the reconnection fee, even if they pay by money order to the water supervisor.

(6)   Lien Against Property.  Charges remaining unpaid three (3) months after the due date shall constitute a lien upon the real estate to which the service has been rendered.  The Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to file a notice of such lien in the Office of the County Recorder, Henry County, Illinois, and to pursue such legal action as is necessary to collect the delinquent charges.

Section 7.   Rate Schedule.  The following schedules shall be the rates charged to customers for water and garbage service supplied by the Village.

(1)   Water Service.  A flat rate will apply to all water customers, as follows:

Residential                                                                                      $  52.00  per month

Business                                                                                          $  55.00  per month

State Site                                                                                        $300.00  per month

Weller Township                                                                          $  45.00  per month

Restaurants/Bar                                                                           $ 100.00  per month

Bed & Breakfast (Residential & Business)                      $  72.00  per month

Bar/Restaurant with residence                                           $ 122.00 per month

Bishop Hill Heritage Association                                        $ 375.00 per month

Bishop Hill Fire Department                                                   $  55.00  per month

Non-residential Hydrant                                                           $  52.00 per month

(2)   Garbage Service.  A monthly garbage bill of $8.00 will be charged to all residential units irrespective of use.  For purpose of this subsection, a “residential unit” shall be defined as any structures, apartments, home or portion of building which serves as a dwelling unit. An annual “Garbage ONLY” account, will be charged a flat fee of $10 per month.

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effective beginning January 1, 2024, upon its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.

All ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby expressly repealed.

PASSED and APPROVED by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Bishop Hill this

6th day of December, 2023.