Marseilles votes to raise reconnect fees for water shut offs

Editor’s Note: This story has been edited July 21 with corrected information from the city of Marseilles.

Those in Marseilles whose water is shut off from late payments will be paying $50 reconnection fees and $100 if water reconnection is requested outside of normal business hours — up from $35 and $40, respectively.

There are no increases to late fees and residents still will not be turned off until two months of delinquency.

Mayor Jim Hollenbeck said the City Council made this decision because it costs the city money every time it has to send out a worker to turn on the water for a late payment. City employees, per contract, are paid two hours callout at time and a half. The goal is to decrease the amount of water shut offs in the city.

“We’re willing to work with anyone and set up a payment plan,” Hollenbeck said.

Council member Jim Buckingham said it’s the same people missing payments every month and Hollenbeck said the city has between 18 to 25 homes that miss water and sewer payments per month.

Anyone with questions about their water bill or a late water bill payment can go to Marseilles City Hall at 209 Lincoln St.