The Collinsville City Council has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. on Dec. 9 to discuss the construction of a new water treatment plant and the estimated 38 percent rate increase that will result.

The Collinsville Water Treatment Plant / Photo by Roger Starkey

The City Council approved a plan to build a new 16,500 square-foot plant water treatment plant at a special meeting on Sept. 23. The plan was chosen in favor of an extensive overhaul of existing facilities.

Finance Director Tamara Ammann estimated that the average small family may see an increase of about $5 on each bill (customers are billed every two months). A medium-size family may see an increase of $10 per bill.

The increased rates are still about average for surrounding communities, Ammann said. The increased rates will be in effect throughout the life of the 20-year loan that will be used to fund the project.

See related story: Collinsville to build new water treatment building

At a special meeting on Oct. 28, the City of Collinsville’s draft budget was reviewed. The draft budget called for no property tax increase, but highlighted the water rate increase, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

Although the draft biennial budget is one document, it will be presented to the City Council at two meetings. The 2014 budget and public hearing will be on the City Council’s Dec. 9 agenda. A public hearing will also precede the adoption of the 2015 budget during the Jan. 13, 2014 City Council meeting.

Related stories: No property tax increase in Collinsville proposed budget