By Howard Packowitz
PEKIN, Ill. (25 News) – Pekin City Council members made it clear Monday evening they are not interested in selling the government’s wastewater system to Illinois American Water, even though it’s believed the city might receive a one-time $30 million windfall.
Council members heard from former City Manager Dennis Kief who said he opposed the resolution directing current City Manager John Dossey to negotiate an agreement to sell the treatment plant and its infrastructure.
Just one council member, Karen Hohimer, commented before she and the other five elected officials voted no. Mayor Mary Burress did not attend the meeting.
“This is an asset that the city owns, and once we sell it, and get the money for it, and then the money is gone, and now the asset is gone as well, and we can never get it back,” said Hohimer.
At least twice before, the utility approached the city about buying the treatment facility, and both times, city officials said they weren’t interested, said City Manager Dossey. He said the latest discussion came after Illinois American Water approached city officials last fall,
The utility hosted an open house June 11 in which about 20 residents attended, and Dossey said, “the general tone from the public was that the city should retain the service.”
Dossey prepared a 33-page analysis listing various pros and cons. Reasons to sell the system included using the estimated $30 million sale price to help reduce Pekin’s police and fire pension obligations. Also, taxpayers would no longer be on the hook for costly treatment system repairs and improvements.
Dossey’s report cited the loss of local control as a major negative. The Illinois Commerce Commission would decide whether to raise rates instead of the city council.
Meantime, Dossey said the Greater Peoria Sanitary District has reached out about a potential partnership as an alternative to selling the treatment system, but no details have been discussed.
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