The City usually raises its water and sewer rates by 3.5 percent. City Councilman Tim Jeffers says the annual rate hike hasn’t kept up with operating expenses for the sewer and water facilities.  He says the rate hike the next two years could generate an additional $500,000 per year.  Jeffers says the additional income would also help pay for an automatic water meter reader program:

 

“We can save manpower hours to get this done, it’s more accurate, I think people will like it,” Jeffers says.

 

“That’ll save us a lot of money and time and effort both in the billing process and the reading process.”

 

Jeffers says the revenue could also help pay for matching grants.  He says commercial businesses and other high users will likely see a ten-percent increase through 2013.

 

The East Peoria City Council also approved hiring two patrol officers for the Police Department.  Jeffers says it will cost less than 100-thousand-dollars to hire both officers.  He says increased sales tax revenues from new downtown development will help pay for the positions.  The Council also approved an agreement with the East Peoria Firefighters union effective through 2015.  The agreement calls for nearly three-percent raises for the first two years.