At their meeting Thursday evening, the Litchfield City Council addressed concerns over billing adjustments for water and sewer service for Jack in the Box and Western Oil.
According to City Clerk Carol Burke, due to a mistake that was made when setting up the water lines, Jack in the Box and Western Oil had been paying for each other's water services since 2004; Jack in the Box had been paying more than they should have for water on a monthly basis, and Western Oil had been paying less. Due to a change in one of the companies and a defective meter, the city was only able to accurately calculate the amounts paid since 2011.
Rather than cutting a check to Jack in the Box, city attorney Kit Hantla said the fair thing to do would be to give the business a credit.
Two separate motions were made to address the issue. The first was to credit Jack in the Box for the $10,870.15 extra that was paid on their bill. The second was to waive a late fee for a bill paid by Western Oil. Burke recommended waiving the late fee because the company was unaware that the council meeting addressing the entire issue was scheduled for after the bill's deadline. Both motions passed, 7-0, with alderman Dwayne Gerl absent.
The city of Litchfield was also awarded a $2500 grant by Ameren Illinois at the meeting. The grant was the result of Litchfield being named a 2017 Progressive City after performing 319 residential and business energy efficiency projects.
Ameren Illinois Representatives Paula Nixon and Jason Kline were in attendance to present the award. Mr. Kline said the city may use the grant on a community project of the council's choosing.
Mayor Steve Dougherty said the city will proudly display two road signs the city was also given, and will continue their efforts to better the city's energy efficiency.
The council also approved a motion to spend up to $2984, plus shipping, with Hydro-Kinetics Corporation, to replace a potassium permanganate feed pump for the city's water department. According to Alderman Dave Hollo, the longevity of the pump is between 5 and 7 years.
The next Litchfield City Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m.
