Before passing a FY 25 budget 10-0, the Springfield city council Tuesday okayed a rate increase – 32 percent in each of the next two years – for water delivered by CWLP. The vote was 7-3.
Driving the increase, utility leaders said, is a federally-mandated removal of lead water lines.
Alds. Shawn Gregory, Jennifer Notariano, and Roy Williams (pictured) voted against the increase, with the latter two accusing chief utility engineer Doug Brown and water division manager Todd LaFountain of a lack of transparency and for asking for money they probably don’t even need.
“We can fix this without taking it out on the citizens,” Williams said. “I encourage all y’all to vote against this, just to force us to rethink this and do something that’s better for the citizens.”
“All I want is honesty,” said Notariano. “The lead lines are going to be less than half of the money raised by these increases. I read the SJ-R article that quoted you in saying that. We’re not using this to improve infrastructure. We’re not using this for lead lines. Our water quality is great, and thank you very much.”
Brown answered many of Notariano’s questions by reminding her the information was presented in January during budget hearings.
As for the budget, it takes effect March 1.