By Kayla Barnes
The Hollandale Village Board approved, at their board meeting on Tuesday, July 7, to increase the sewer rates 5 percent for quarter three and an additional five person for quarter four.
Clerk/treasurer Holly De Witt told the board that after looking at the sewer utility account, the auditor found the village had a net loss of $18,635 and an operating loss of $16,485 for a total around $30,000. Based off of all those factors, he suggested a 17 percent increase would help cover all of those costs. The village recently had a 10 percent increase in Quarter 1 so he suggested that there be an additional five percent increase in Quarter 3 and an additional five percent increase in Quarter 4.
This increase will only pay for the deficit the village had in 2025. This increase will not pay for any of the debt the village is accumulating due to the water quality trading projects and/or the wastewater treatment plant projects and upgrades that still need to be done.
The board complained that Tim Stockman from Davy Engineering hasn’t given them a projection for what costs they will be accumulating so they haven’t had time to budget for what is to come or what has already occurred. Board president Meta Chrostowski commented that they can’t budget with all of the unknowns. Board member Austin Parks asked if there has been any oversight over what Davy Engineering is billing the village. The answer was no.
“I’ve never had anyone say go ahead with a project but not know how much it is going to cost,” Parks said.
Chrostowski stated they have asked for projections and more information but nothing has been provided.
The auditor made the suggestion for the increase due to the loss from last year but isn’t aware of the current debt. The percentage is a budgetary projection from the auditors for this coming year. This increase will just be covering operating expenses and not covering project costs. Davy Engineering’s costs have not been figured into the budget.
Carl Olson made the motion to follow the auditors recommendation with the five percent increase for Quarter 3 and an additional five percent increase for Quarter 4 with Rob Massey seconding. The motion passed.
Other business
A citizen asked the board to consider restrict parking around both ends of Moscow Street on Commerce and State streets. Their concern was based on bigger vehicles trying to come down Moscow Street to get to Sigg Landscaping and the visibility being restricted. With people parked on those streets, it is extremely difficult for vehicles to get through those intersections. The board stated the couldn’t make any action tonight but would look into the issue and contact other residents that would be impacted if this were to change.
The board heard from Cassie (Colson) Perenchio on behalf of the Pecatonica Area School District as their public relations director, wanting the village to know that the district wants to keep an open communication between the village and themselves.
Peggy Hendrickson asked the board via a letter to eliminate the handicap parking space in front of the Lending Library since the library will be closing and, as stated in the letter, it was only put there for those visiting the library. The board stated they would look into the possible change.
A picnic license for the Hollandale Fire Responders was granted for the Fish Boil/Steak Feed.