Village board passes $19M budget; rate
hikes approved
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Chatham Village Board said goodbye to two-term trustee Mike McGrath Tuesday night, but
before they did, the board passed the fiscal year 2010 budget and raised water, electric and sewer
rates.
The $19,366,922 budget includes a lot of cuts and "very few increases," trustee Chuck Herr stated.
With the State of Illinois economy dripping in red ink and the state of the entire national and global
economy in flux, Village officials are tightening their belts and hunkering down.
"This is a year where we are trying to reduce expenses," said Del McCord, Village Director of
Utilities and Administration. "There are very few new projects on the books."
The fiscal year 2010 budget runs from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010.
•The board has raised water, sewer and electric rates by six percent each. An average customer
for all three utilities in Chatham will see a $6 to $9 total increase per month, McCord added. Some will
see a smaller increase, and some larger, depending on usage. Rate increases take effect June 1.
In addition, the Village will enlist the firm of Virchow Krause to perform an electric rate study to
determine if the six percent increase in electric rates is sufficient, or if further increases are needed.
The village budget and sewer rate increases each passed by 6-0 vote; the water rate increase
passed by 5-1 vote (McGrath no); and the electric rate increase passed by a 4-2 vote (Schatteman,
McGrath no).
•The new board was then seated, with Mayor Tom Gray and trustees Herr, Joe Schatteman and
Matt Mau all sworn in. All will serve four-year terms. Village clerk Pat Schad also won re-election but
was on military leave and not at the meeting. Deputy clerk Karl Todt filled in.
State Representative Rich Brauer performed the swearing in ceremonies.
Once the new board was seated, Tom Kavanagh was appointed by Gray as the Chairman of the
Administrative Committee. The board approved the appointment. Herr remains as Public Works
Committee Chair, and Jeanne Boyle stays as Public Properties Committee Chair.
•Committee meetings will be held next Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 6 p.m. with Administration,
followed by Public Works.
hikes approved
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Chatham Village Board said goodbye to two-term trustee Mike McGrath Tuesday night, but
before they did, the board passed the fiscal year 2010 budget and raised water, electric and sewer
rates.
The $19,366,922 budget includes a lot of cuts and "very few increases," trustee Chuck Herr stated.
With the State of Illinois economy dripping in red ink and the state of the entire national and global
economy in flux, Village officials are tightening their belts and hunkering down.
"This is a year where we are trying to reduce expenses," said Del McCord, Village Director of
Utilities and Administration. "There are very few new projects on the books."
The fiscal year 2010 budget runs from May 1, 2009, to April 30, 2010.
•The board has raised water, sewer and electric rates by six percent each. An average customer
for all three utilities in Chatham will see a $6 to $9 total increase per month, McCord added. Some will
see a smaller increase, and some larger, depending on usage. Rate increases take effect June 1.
In addition, the Village will enlist the firm of Virchow Krause to perform an electric rate study to
determine if the six percent increase in electric rates is sufficient, or if further increases are needed.
The village budget and sewer rate increases each passed by 6-0 vote; the water rate increase
passed by 5-1 vote (McGrath no); and the electric rate increase passed by a 4-2 vote (Schatteman,
McGrath no).
•The new board was then seated, with Mayor Tom Gray and trustees Herr, Joe Schatteman and
Matt Mau all sworn in. All will serve four-year terms. Village clerk Pat Schad also won re-election but
was on military leave and not at the meeting. Deputy clerk Karl Todt filled in.
State Representative Rich Brauer performed the swearing in ceremonies.
Once the new board was seated, Tom Kavanagh was appointed by Gray as the Chairman of the
Administrative Committee. The board approved the appointment. Herr remains as Public Works
Committee Chair, and Jeanne Boyle stays as Public Properties Committee Chair.
•Committee meetings will be held next Tuesday, May 19, beginning at 6 p.m. with Administration,
followed by Public Works.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: May 14, 2009