Oak Park Village Board Approves Tiered Water Rate Hike Despite Park District Concerns
The Oak Park Village Board has approved a new five-year water and sewer rate structure that introduces a tiered billing system, leading to higher costs for larger water consumers. The new structure divides water usage into two tiers: those using up to 10,000 gallons quarterly will see a 2% annual increase, while those exceeding 10,000 gallons will face an approximate 6.5% annual increase over five years. The board voted 6-1 in favor of the hike, with Trustee James Taglia casting the sole dissenting vote. According to Rob Sproule, Oak Park’s Public Works director, the tiered system aims to incentivize reduced water consumption and promote sustainability. However, Mitch Bowlin, Director of Business Operations for the Park District of Oak Park, expressed dismay, stating that the increased costs could necessitate service reductions, such as cutting splash pad hours and scaling back irrigation for athletic fields and green spaces. The Park District estimates an initial budget impact of $10,000 to $15,000, an am...
