Rockford Sun

City of Carlyle Water & Sewer Committee met Aug. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Call to Order/Roll Call

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Scott Diekemper on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Case Halstead Library located at 550 6th Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. Committee members present included Scott Diekemper, Mike Jansen, and Jeremy Weh. Others present included Mayor Judy Smith, Jim McClaren, Bruce Hilmes, Brad Myers, Rita Jurgensmeyer, and Andy Wennersrom. 

Approval of Minutes

Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve the water and sewer committee minutes from July 28, 2025. The motion was seconded by Alderman Mike Jansen, and it was approved by voice vote. 

Becker Lane Discussion

City Administrator Brad Myers said he had a meeting with Dennis Rudolphi from Mideastern Plumbing, Brandon Pieron, and John Wieter (via phone) from H. M. & G. concerning Becker Lane. Back in 2021 the council approved Becker Lane to be developed and to put a water main out off Corey Road. In the last six months they have sold lots and started building a couple of houses and there is no water service there. They thought the city would put the main in, but they are not. The property is within 1.5 miles of city limits. The city will not put the main in even though the city will provide them with water. City Administrator Brad Myers said that they sent the Beckers a list of parts for everything they need. During the meeting they called John Wieter from H. M. & G. just to make sure the city does not have to do anything other than let them tap into the main and Brandon Pieron will be out there monitoring it. John Wieter asked if they had their construction permit and their EPA permit. They said they did. They brought in the EPA permit the next day, it is from 2021, and they are only good for two years. They are now going back to get a permit so they can put the line in. City Administrator Brad Myers said he just wanted to let the committee know what was going on. They have four or five lots. The lots that face Corey Road can come off the water main on Corey Road, but the lots on Becker Lane will have to come off a different main. Alderman Scott Diekemper asked why they couldn’t come off Corey Road. Mayor Smith said because they would have to cross other properties to get the line to the house. She added that when they put the subdivision in, they were going to turn the lane and take it back to the north, but the northern lots would be touching or in a flood plain, so they decided to do the ones along the road and at the very top. City Administrator Brad Myers said once the water main is installed and Brandon Pieron approves the connection it will become part of the city’s infrastructure.

Water Rate Increases

City Administrator Brad Myers then spoke about the water rates. He said as it is currently written that every year the rate would be raised by 5 percent per year for the next five years. He said that in 2024 there should have been an increase and there was not. Andy Wennerstrom said that Illinois Rural Water Association would do a free rate study. The study shows that in the future the water department will be in a lot of trouble. He said that the current revenue will not keep up with the water department’s needs. He said that the water department should add $.51 to the consumption rate per thousand gallons used. The current consumption rate is $2.88. City Administrator Brad Myers said that in the formula used to raise the rates there is a flaw and for two years it was raised by 5 percent and the following years it was only $.05. City Administrator Brad Myers went over the rate tables. The price increases were discussed and confirmed the need to raise the water rates. On the sewer side currently, it is the same price for 1,000 gallons of water and 2,000 gallons of water. They suggested that they change it to only 1,000 gallons. City Administrator Brad Myers said that with the water and sewer rates combined it would be approximately a $5.00 per month increase for the average household. The sewer department is doing well, but there is no ARPA left for infrastructure repairs, and the time will come when the city needs to build a sewer plant. They will also need to continue lining the sewers with Visu-Sewer. This is informational tonight, but City Administrator Brad Myers would like to have an ordinance prepared for the next council meeting raising the water rate $.51 per 1,000 and the sewer rate would be per 1,000 gallons as opposed to 2,000 gallons. Andy Wennerstrom said that he is getting inspected on the 3rd from the IEPA and they do require an ordinance raising rates because if you need an EPA loan and no such ordinance exists, they will deny the loan or tell the city what the rates have to be. Alderman Mike Jansen asked about comparing to other communities. He said that he knows it is needed but questioned if the increase was enough. 

Unfinished Business

There was no unfinished business. 

New Business

There was no new business.

Any Other Comments

There were no any other comments. 

Public Comments

There were no public comments. 

Executive Session

At 6:19 p.m. Alderman Mike Jansen made a motion to go into executive session to discuss 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) Discussion of minutes of meetings lawfully closed under this Act, whether for purposes of approval by the body of the minutes or semi-annual review of the minutes as mandated by Section 2.06. Alderman Jeremy Weh seconded the motion, and it was approved by voice votes. At 6:21 p.m. the committee returned to regular session. Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to approve, and leave closed the executive session minutes from December 27, 2023, April 30, 2024, and June 12, 2024. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion, and it was approved by voice vote.

Adjournment

At 6:22 p.m. Alderman Jeremy Weh made a motion to adjourn. Alderman Mike Jansen seconded the motion and it was approved by voice vote.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/carlyle/Board.nsf/Public#