On Air Now

Knoxville water bills expected to rise in 2017

The Knoxville City Council plans to address raising water rates for residents after hearing the results of its annual audit at last night’s meeting.

The audit showed the cost of water has risen while the city’s water and sewer revenue has stayed the same.

Acting Mayor Dennis Maurer says the difference is small. But Maurer says he expects the next water contract with Galesburg, in 20-24, to be more expensive. 

Many pipes around the city are made of copper, which can corrode and show up in drinking water.

The city also needs money for maintenance and upgrading pipe with newer materials.

“Knoxville’s an old community and we’ve got the history of water lines throughout the whole community,” Maurer says. “There’s some places where it doesn’t flow as well as they would like. We need to replace some of those old water lines.”

Maurer says they’re likely to take up the issue closer to December or January.

He doesn’t know specifically how much rates might change, but he says he wanted to introduce the issue for discussion later in the year or early next year.

Other aldermen on the council agreed that water rates should rise slowly over time.

In other news, Maurer announced he’s likely to run for mayor in the next municipal election.

Council will also take up work on its tax levy for the next fiscal year in November. Knoxville Treasurer Jim Whitney says the Tort fund needs attention and will be looked at.

Recommended Posts

Loading...

Share Contact

contact-chris-mcintyre-qr-code