Schillerstrom’s Leadership Ensures Surplus Benefits Residents    

Schillerstrom:  “This money belongs to the residents of DuPage County.”

WHEATON, IL — DuPage County Board Chairman Robert Schillerstrom praised the Water Commission on Thursday for their approval of the County’s recommendation to lower the water rate charged to its members from $1.45 per 1,000 gallons to $1.25.    The Commission agreed to lower water rates — as part of their proposed FY2007-08 budget — as a way of reducing their excess cash reserves, which is estimated to be $60 million.

Schillerstrom’s recommendation to the commission was that they return their surplus money to the citizens of DuPage County through either a rate reduction or in the form of local projects that would help ensure residents have access to the best water possible. 

“This money belongs to the people of DuPage County,” said Schillerstrom.  “Our number one priority is to ensure our residents have access to clean, safe and affordable water.” 

In addition to the water rate reduction, the proposed budget also includes a $15 million rebate program ($7 million next year) that will assist municipalities in paying for their own water system improvement projects. 

“This annual rebate program will help cover water maintenance costs thereby allowing municipalities to pass on this thirty cent reduction directly to the homeowners or used for critical water infrastructure needs,” said Schillerstrom.  “By having the County and local mayor’s work together the residents of DuPage benefit.”

The subject of excess reserves has been the focus of recent Water Commission meetings and Schillerstrom had asked the County representatives on the commission to develop a plan to return these excess dollars to taxpayers.

“My goal is, and always has been, to ensure that the Water Commission provides clean, safe, and affordable water to all the citizens of the County,” said Schillerstrom.

DuPage County joined the Water Commission in May of 2006.  Since that time, county officials have been working to obtain water allocations from the state for the county’s six water systems and to draft wheeling agreements with individual municipalities to bring Lake Michigan water to unincorporated areas.  Thousands of DuPage County residents still do not have access to Lake Michigan water and the need to supply water to these areas without a major water supply (fire hydrants) has become more urgent with several recent house fires. 

“Today, the Water Commission took a first step towards reducing its cash reserves and to make water more affordable for municipal customers.  I would encourage Commission members not to forget those areas of the county yet to be served and to continue to work with the county to make Lake Michigan water available at an affordable price to all those who desire it,” concluded Schillerstrom.

Schillerstrom also notes that the Water Commission needs to put forth a long-term plan that any surplus funds will continue to benefit the residents of DuPage. 

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