$10 million dollars and $21.1 million in invested improvements. That’s what Illinois American Water sees as the value of the Carmi wastewater treatment plant. To many in the city, it’s a priceless asset and they voiced their opposition, sometimes loudly and occasionally confrontationally Tuesday night. The meeting had to be moved to the White County Farm Bureau basement in anticipation of the large crowd. About 60 individuals turned out and spent a little over an hour either directly asking questions or voicing their disapproval, and at times, intensely attempting to engage in argument.
Prior to opening the floor and just after opening the bid, each council member addressed the crowd and almost unilaterally suggested moving forward with the sale of the utility was off the table. Those who said they were a “no” received applause. Mark Blake and Jeremy Courson were the two alderpersons who in May said they didn’t even want to look at or entertain a bid.
Landen “Rudy” Rudolph opened things from the public with barbed words for the mayor and also pointed at Holly Healy, City Administrator attempting to tie her connection with Chris Guy from Illinois American Water, her connection working for former Congressman John Shimkus and suggesting an effort on her part to help facilitate the sale. Healy denied the accusation.
Others pointed to other cities who have sold to Illinois American Water saying their residents have expressed to them disappointment and said it wasn’t a good deal for the end consumer. Resident Ken Pettijohn suggested he wasn’t in favor of it because of local control and taxpayers have hiring and firing control over local government, not a private company.
Still others suggested a sale of the wastewater treatment would be a gateway to the water itself and would give way to a data center.
In the end, it appears the sale of the wastewater treatment plant is off the table as council members by a wide margin have suggested they have no intentions to sell the utility and asset at this point. We’ll find out on July 21st when the next city council meeting should include on its agenda a formal vote on the bid. At that point, work will definitely need to be done to figure out a way forward as the sewer utility currently loses about $200,000 per year and hasn’t seen a rate increase since 2011. Residents say they’d prefer the rate increase come from the city; not Illinois American Water.
While the wastewater treatment plant was the dominant topic Tuesday, council also conducted business prior including granting a TIF request to the White County Historical Society giving them a 50% match up to $5,000 for improvements to buildings the organization upkeeps. Hamilton Memorial Hospital also officially signaled its intention to put roots in Carmi with a land acquisition on Falcon Avenue between Taylor Eye Care and Arby’s. CEO Justin Epperson was there to answer questions and provide insight on what to expect from the new clinic.
The sale price is $28,000. The city is entering into a TIF agreement with the hospital for that amount as well. HMHD is expected to sublease space to St. Vincent n both the mobile clinic and the new building once complete, which will include the City’s employer clinic. That temporary/mobile facility at the location should be open in September according to Epperson.