O-08-26 Amending Title 13, Chapter 13.08 (Water Meters and Water Rates) and Chapter 13.09 (Sewer Rates) of the Municipal CodeD
418 Main Street I Lemont, IL 60439
TO: Village Board Meeting
FROM: Darshana Prakash, Finance
THROUGH: George Schafer, Village Administrator
Ralph Pukula, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: An Ordinance Amending Title 13, Chapter 13.08 (Water Meters and Water
Rates) and Chapter 13.09 (Sewer Rates) of the Municipal Code of the
Village of Lemont
DATE: February 23, 2026
SUMMARY/BACKGROUND
Consideration and approval of amendments to Title13, Chapters 13.08 and 13.09, to provide
additional clarity and formally codify existing practices, including revisions specifying when and
to whom an unpaid balance may be transferred and identifying acceptable documentation for
senior discounts and payment plans.
This was discussed at the February 16 Committee of the Whole meeting.
ANALYSIS
Consistency with Village Policy
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Approve the Ordinance
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED
Approve the Ordinance
ATTACHMENTS
Ordinance Amending Title 13 Chapters 13.08 13.09 - FINAL.pdf
VILLAGE OF LEMONT
ORDINANCE NO. _ r- (o
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.08 (WATER
METERS AND WATER RATES) AND CHAPTER 13.09 (SEWER RATES)
OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT
Adopted by the President and Board of Trustees
Of the Village of Lemont
This 23r`' Day of February, 2026
Published in pamphlet form by
Authority of the President and
Board of Trustees of the Village
Of Lemont, Cook, DuPage, and Will
Counties, Illinois this 23rd day of February, 2026
Page 2 of 15
ORDINANCE NO. O- ,,-26
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.08
(WATER METERS AND WATER RATES) AND CHAPTER 13.09
(SEWER RATES) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
VILLAGE OF LEMONT
WHEREAS, the Village of Lemont, Counties of Cook, Will and DuPage,
Illinois, ("the Village") is a municipality in the state of Illinois with full powers
to enact ordinances and adopt resolutions for the benefit of the residents of the
Village; and
WHEREAS, the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of
Lemont (the "Corporate Authorities") may from time to time amend the text
of the Village Code when it is determined to be in the best interests of the
residents of the Village; and
WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities find that it is in the best
interest of the Village to amend the Village Code provisions in Title 13,
Chapters 13.08 and 13.09, respectively; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the President and
Board of Trustees of the Village of Lemont, Counties of Cook, Will and
DuPage, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1: That the above recitals are found to be true and correct
and are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof, as if frilly set
forth in their entirety.
SECTION 2: The Village Code, as amended, is further amended in Title
13, Chapter 13.08 (Water Meter and Water Rates) and Chapter 13.09 (Sewer
Rates), with additions in underlined text and deletions in stfi et4o„as follows:
Page 3 of 15
13.08.060. Water rates; definitions.
(a) The water- rates or ehafges f6r- all pfapefty upon whieh any i1II1g 11UJ VL•e
of may be hefeaftef efeeted, havi . -etion with the village watef system-,
shall be base upon
the nl mAiTTotint of watereonstimed, as indica4ed by the w
metefs, in aecor-danee with the sehedule and fates in the amotint established in
the '-annual fee ofdinZCnee.
(ba) For purposes of this seeti ,n and seet ons 1 n4 non and i nn nQnchapter, the
following definitions will apply:
Business means a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association (profit
or nonprofit), or state, county, township or municipal entity which provides
services, labor, manufactured goods, equipment, merchandise, edibles or consumer
goods in return for compensation or for the good of the general public. A single
business building contains one business. A multiple business building contains two
or more businesses.
Multiple family residence means a building containing two or more dwelling
units.
Residential business building means a building having at least one dwelling
unit and at least one business unit.
Single-family residence means a building containing one dwelling unit.
bl The water rates or charLyes for all aropertv upon which anv buildiniz has been
or may be hereafter erected, having a connection with the village water system,
shall be based upon the amount of water consumed, as indicated by the water
meters. in accordance with the schedule and rates in the amount established in
the annual fee ordinance.
(Code 1964, § 11.305; Code 1988, § 13.08.060)
13.08.070. Billing procedure; late fee; dishonored check; senior citizen
discount.
(a) Bills for water used shall be sent every two months based on actual meter
readings. If an actual meter reading cannot be obtained, an estimated bill will
be sent.
(b) All bills for water used shall be in the name of the owner, tenant or occupant
of the building or unit.
The owner of the property being provided municipal utility service-,4he-
* *here^ and the customer who uses the municipal utilities shall be
Page 4 of 15
jointly and severally liable for payment of any bill rendered by the village for
such service or use.
Where a renter has vacated or abandoned the property to which the municipal
utility service is being supplied, and no new renter is in possession, then the
municipal utility service account balance for the property shall be transferred
to and in the name of the owner of the property.
(Ec) The base (fixed) fee on water is applicable on all water bills whether water
service is on or off. Base (fixed) fee ^„ will not be pro -rated.
(dd) For customer accounts that have more than one dwelling unit, the base (fixed)
fee is assessed per dwelling unit. Number of dwelling units within a customer
account is determined by the Building Department.
(ee) The net amount of all water bills is due and payable in full
seeh illby the due date. Any bill paid after the 20th day of the billing month
will have a late charge of ten percent (10%) of the unpaid current bill added to
the bill amount. One (1) late charge over a 12 month period may be waived
by the Finance Director or designee at the request of the customer. Additional
late charges may be waived by the Village Administrator or designee only in
extenuating circumstances at the written request of the customer. The decision
to grant additional waiver of late charges rests solely with the Village
Administrator or designee.
(ff) Any east" er- who presents a eheekpayment made to the Village which is
subsequently returned by the customer's bank for any reason shall be subject
to charges and fees set forth in the annual fee ordinance.
(gg)There shall be a senior citizen discount in the amount established in the annual
fee ordinance. The discount is only applicable to the dwelling unit in which the
senior citizen resides. To obtain the discount, the senior citizen must pfesent
provide: the following ,aoeti , ents.
(1) Proof of age, being 65 years or older;
(2) Proof of Owne,-ship ownership and rip mary residency of the property;—er-
l9�lil�<SllSl
Acceptable documents as proof are:-
• Property tax bill
• Property closing documents
Page 5 of 15
• Lease agreement
9Quit Claim Deed
(Code 1988, § 13.08.070)
13.08.080. Delinquent payment; service shutoff conditions.
(a) In the event the customer fails to pay the water bill or any portion, including
delinquent charges, within 30 days after the charges therefore become due and
owing, it shall be the duty of the Director of Public Works to shut off the water
service to the building, provided proper notice is given to the customer.
(b) Before the Director of Public Works can shut off *'-ediscontinue water
services, the customer at the dwelling unit must be properly notified by
telephone, personal delivery or certified U.S. mail with return receipt:, at least
eight days prior to the actual date of shutoff of services. The notice must state
the fease f6f the shutoff and the date the shutoff will occur, as well as charges
for the resumption of the services after the services have been discontinued on
account of such default. The notice must alse-geprovide reference to this
Ordinance which includes information won the right of an appeal and the
procedure for pursuing such appeal. If the certified mail is returned to the
village as undeliverable or unaccepted, posting notice on the dwelling unit or
building shall be sufficient notice for purposes of this section.
(c) To appeal the shutoff of services, the customer must notify the Director of
Public Works in writing before the actual shutoff date. If the owner notifies the
Director of Public Works in writing, the Director shall place the owner on the
agenda for the next regularly scheduled committee meeting, at which time the
Village Board shall decide whether or not all or part of the water services shall
be shut off.
(d) The village may provide for a hardship payment plan for all outstanding water
bills.
(1) In order to qualify for a payment plan, the customer must provide
proof of eli ig•bility and/or guaranteed financial assistance from the Lemont
Township or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Pro rg_am) esker
financial assistance programs.
(2) A payment plan can only be offered once in a three year period.
Page 6 of 15
(�3) If a customer qualifies under subsection (1) above, the Finance Director
or designee shall place the qualified customer on a hardship payment plan,
with the following terms:
a. Make a down payment of 40 percent of the total charges for water
(including past due and current charges);
b. Pay the remaining 60 percent of the unpaid water bills in full within
90 days, over three separate equal monthly payments; and
e.
Remain ettr-fentwith all othef debt due and owing to the village, and
all etir-fent and Attur-e water- bills not subjeet to this seetion
dc. Make timely payments on current and future bills.tme.
(e) If the customer fails to comply with or otherwise defaults on the requirements
of the hardship payment plan, all utility bills in arrears shall be immediately
due and payable. Upon nonpayment, the Village reserves the right to
discontinue water service The water service can be reconnected only after full
payment of balance on account, including the reconnection fee per the annual
fee ordinance.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver of the village's ability to
collect unpaid water bills or other debt, lien any property or seek any judgment
as authorized by the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 511 et seq.) or the
Lemont, Illinois Municipal Code.
(g) When any service is shut off, it shall not be ren reconnected except upon
payment of all amounts in arrears, including a tom onreconnection fee in
the amount established in the annual fee ordinance is paid. Any water supply
that has been s-ef€discontinued due to delin ent—nonpayment of bills will
be t nreconnected only on weekdays MondaythroughFriday efA�-
between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
(Code 1964, § 11.307; Code 1988, § 13.08.080; Ord. No. 0-60-13, § 1, 12-9-2013)
13.08.090. Notice of delinquency; lien claim.
(a) Whenever a bill for water service remains unpaid 30 days after it has been
rendered, the Village may take whatever action is lawful and necessary to
collect delinquent accounts, including, without limitation, termination of
service, hiring a collection agency, until the delinquent account has been paid
in full, including any service charges and costs of collection.
Page 7 of 15
(b) If a customer moves from one address to another within the village, the unpaid
balance will be transferred to the new address.
(c) A tenant's unpaid balance will be transferred to the landlord's residential
account if the landlord resides within the village.
(hd) Whenever a bill for water -service remains unpaid 30 days after it has been
rendered, the village -reserves the right to file with the county recorder of
deeds a statement of lien claim. This statement shall contain the legal
description of the premises served, the amount of the unpaid bill, and a notice
that the village claims a lien for this amount, as well as for all charges for
water subsequent to the period covered by the bill as well as lien processing
and recording fees-
(ee) If the ,,, nsun e f of watercustomer whose bill i-s-remains unpaid is not the
owner of the premises, the village, shall mail the notice of lien claim to the
owner of the premises.
(df) The failure of the village to record such lien claim or to mail such notice, or
the failure of the owner to receive such notice, shall not affect the right to
foreclose the lien for unpaid water bills as mentioned in this section.
(Code 1964, § 11.309; Code 1988, § 13.08.090)
13.08.100. Foreclosure; collection of lien.
Property subject to a lien for unpaid water charges shall be sold for
nonpayment of the same, and the proceeds of the sale shall be applied to pay the
charges, after deducting costs, as is the case in the foreclosure of statutory liens.
Such foreclosure shall be by bill in equity in the name of the village. The village
attorney is authorized and directed to institute such proceedings in the name of the
village in any court having jurisdiction over such matters, against any property for
which the bill for water has remained unpaid 30 days after it has been rendered.
(Code 1964, § 11.310; Code 1988, § 13.08.100)
Page 8 of 15
13.09.020. Sewer rates; definitions.
i o sewer -
rates or eh rges fi r al property upon
11rhie any building
has boon
or may
be hereafter efeeted Y1n1 ..tl n _011neetio + �V1t1the village
sewer-
system,be based upon the amount of water-
. ed, as iI dictate by �� n4or ter-s, in aeeofdanee with the annual foe
Crn�CC�I�IC[�C�7�I1-U�C�TCCCn IL�,�OTL1�CIiC uiliil{ul tb`
(ha)For the —purposes of this chapter, the following definitions will apply:
Business means a proprietorship, partnership, corporation, association (profit
or nonprofit), or state, county, township or municipal entity which provides
services, labor, or manufactures goods, equipment, merchandise, edibles or
consumer goods in return for compensation or for the good of the general public. A
single -business building contains one business. A multiple -business building
contains two or more businesses.
Multiple family residence means a building containing two or more dwelling
units.
Residential business building means a building having at least one dwelling
unit and at least one business unit.
Single-family residence means a building containing one dwelling unit.
abl The sewer rates or charges for all vrovertv upon which any building has been
or may be hereafter erected, having a connection with the village sewer
system, shall unless otherwise indicated, be based upon the amount of water
consumed. as indicated by the water meters, in accordance with the annual fee
ordinance.
(Code 1988, § 13.09.020)
13.09.030. Billing procedure; late fee, dishonored check, senior citizen
discount.
(a) Bills for sewer use shall be sent every two months. -For commercial customers,
Rage-us_�is based on actual water meter readings. If an actual water meter
reading cannot be obtained, an estimated bill will be sent.
(Supp. No. 15)
Created: 2023-05-03 15:04:03 [EST]
Page 9 of 15
(b) All bills for sewer use shall be in the name of the owner, tenant or occupant of
the building or unit_
The owner of the property being provided municipal utility service, the-
e,.,, ant thefeof and the customer who uses the municipal utilities shall be
jointly and severally liable for payment of any bill rendered by the village for
such service or use.
Where a renter has vacated or abandoned the property to which the municipal
utility service is being supplied, and no new renter is in possession, then the
municipal utility service account for the property shall be transferred to and in
the name of the owner of the property.
(c) The base (fixed) fee on sewer is applicable on all sewer bills whether water
service is on or off. The base (fixed) fee will not be pro -rated.
(d) For customer accounts that have more than one dwelling unit, the base (fixed)
fee is assessed per dwelling unit. Number of dwelling units within a customer
account is determined by the Building Department.
(e) The net amount of the sewer bill is due and payable in fullupen
----ipt of sue ' by the due date. Any bill paid after the 20th day of the
billing month will have a late charge of ten percent (10%) of the unpaid bill
added to the bill amount. One 1) late charge over a 12 month period may
waived by the Finance Director or designee at the request of the customer.
Additional late charges may be waived by the Village Administrator or
designee only in extenuating circumstances at the written request of the
customer. The decision to grant additional waiver of late charges rests solely
with the Village Administrator or designee.
(f) Any eustomef who presents a cheepayment made to the Village which is
subsequently returned by the customer's bank for any reason shall be subject
to charges and fees set forth in the annual fee ordinance.
(g) There shall be a senior citizen discount in the amount established in the annual
fee ordinance. The discount is only applicable to the dwelling unit in which the
Page 10 of 15
senior citizen resides. To obtain the discount, the senior citizen must provide
(1) Proof of age, being 65 years or older;
(2) Proof of Ownership and primary residency of the property-,--o-r-
(3i Proof of residene in
elu inn fent l agreement in individually moiorv�
Fental unit.
Acceptable documents as proof are:
• Property tax bill
• Property closing documents
• Lease agreement
• Quit Claim Deed
(Code 1988, § 13.09.030)
13.09.040. Delinquent payment; service shutoff conditions.
(a) In the event the customer fails to pay the sewer bill or any portion, including
delinquent charges, within 30 days after the charges therefore become due and
owing, it shall be the duty of the director of public works to shut off the water
and service to the building, provided proper notice is given to the customer.
(b) Before the Director of Public Works can shut discontinue the water or
sewer services, the customer at the dwelling unit or units must be properly
notified by telephone, personal delivery or certified U.S. mail with return
receipt., at least eight days prior to the actual date of shutoff of services. The
notice must state the reason for the shutoff and the date the shutoff will occur,
as well as charges for the resumption of the services after the services have
been discontinued on account of such default. The notice must provide
reference to this Ordinance which includes also give information about the
right of an appeal and the procedure for pursuing such appeal. If the certified
mail is returned to the village as undeliverable or unaccepted, posting notice
on the dwelling unit or building shall be sufficient notice for purposes of this
section.
(c) To appeal the shutoff of services, the customer must notify the Director of
Public Works in writing before the actual shutoff date. If the owner notifies the
Page 11 of 15
Director of Public Works in writing, the Director shall place the owner on the
agenda for the next regularly scheduled committee meeting, at which time the
Village Board shall decide whether or not all or part of the water services shall
be shut off.
(d) The village may provide for a hardship payment plan for all outstanding water
bills.
(1) In order to requ -squali _ for a payment plan, the customer must provide
proof of eligibility and/or guaranteed financial assistance from the Lemont
Township or LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) eta
financial assistance programs.
(2) A payment plan can only be offered once in a three year period.
(23) If a customer qualifies under subsection (1) above, the Finance Director
or designee shall place the qualified customer on a hardship payment plan,
with the following terms:
a. Make a down payment of 40 percent of the total charges for water
(including past due and current charges);
b. Pay the remaining 60 percent of the unpaid water bills in full within
90 days, over three separate equal monthly payments; and
MINI
.: - - :-
LWA
dc. Make timely payments on current and future billst.
(e) If the customer fails to comply with or otherwise defaults on the requirements
of the hardship payment plan, all utility bills in arrears shall be immediately
due and payable. Upon nonpayment, the Village reserves the right to
discontinue water service. The water service can be reconnected only after full
payment of balance on account, including the reconnection fee per the annual
fee ordinance.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as a waiver of the Village's ability to
collect unpaid utility bills or other debt, lien any property or seek any
judgment as authorized by the Illinois Municipal Code (65 ILCS 511 et seq.) or
the Lemont, Illinois Municipal Code.
(g) When any service is shydiscontinued, it shall not be "er�d-reconnected
except upon payment of all amounts in arrears, and including a tum
enreconnection fee in the amount established in the annual fee ordinance -ice
Page 12 of 15
paid. Any water of sewefsupply which has been effdiscontinued due to
delinquent7nonpayment of bills will be tufned onreconnected only on
weekdays Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00
p.m.
(Code 1988, § 13.09.040)
13.09.050. Notice of delinquency; lien claim.
(a) Whenever a bill for sewer service remains unpaid 30 days after it has been
rendered, the Village may take whatever action is lawful and necessary to
collect delinquent accounts, including, without limitation, termination of
service, hiring a collection agency, until the delinquent account has been paid
in full, including any service charges and costs of collection.
(b) If a customer moves from one address to another within the village, the unpaid
balance will be transferred to the new address.
(c) A tenant's unpaid balance will be transferred to the landlord's residential
account if the landlord resides within the village.
(bd) -Whenever a bill for wate sewer service remains unpaid 30 days after it has
been rendered, the village reserves the right to file with the county recorder of
deeds a statement of lien claim. This statement shall contain the legal
description of the premises served, the amount of the unpaid bill, and a notice
that the village claims a lien for this amount, as well as for all charges for
sewer subsequent to the period covered by the bill as well as lien processing
and recording fees-
(ee) If the sew customer whose bill is -remains unpaid is not the owner of the
premises, the village shall mail the notice of lien claim to the owner of the
premises.
(ef) The failure of the village to record such lien claim or to mail such notice, or
the failure of the owner to receive such notice, shall not affect the right to
foreclose the lien for unpaid sewer- bills as mentioned in this section.
(Code 1988, § 13.09.050)
13.09.060. Foreclosure; collection of lien.
Property subject to a lien for unpaid sewet sewer charges shall be sold for
nonpayment of the same, and the proceeds of the sale shall be applied to pay
Page 13 of 15
the charges, after deducting costs, as is the case in the foreclosure of statutory
liens. Such foreclosure shall be by bill in equity in the name of the village. The
village attorney is authorized and directed to institute such proceedings in the
name of the village in any court having jurisdiction over such matters, against
any property for which the bill f^� for sewer -has remained unpaid 30
days after it has been rendered.
(Code 1988, § 13.09.060)
(Supp. No. 15)
Created: 2023-05-03 15:04:03 [EST]
Page 14 of 15
SECTION 3: Those provisions of the Village Code that have not been
expressly amended by this Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 4: If any section, paragraph, clause or provision of this Ordinance
shall be held invalid, the invalidity thereof shall not affect any other provision
of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5: All Ordinances, Resolutions, Motions or Orders in conflict with
this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of this Ordinance.
SECTION 6: This Ordinance shall be in fiill force and effect upon its passage,
approval and publication as provided by law.
Page 15 of 15
ADOPTED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK,
WILL, AND DUPAGE, ILLINOIS, ON THIS 23rd DAY OF FEBRUARY
2026.
PRESIDENT AND VILLAGE BOARD MEMBERS:
AYES
Samuel Forzley
Janelle Kittridge
Ken McClafferty
Kevin Shaughnessy
Rick Sniegowski
Ron Stapleton
Attest:
Charlene vAy..' Smollen,*&llage Clerk
6EAL t�
11/in6%s
NAYS ABSENT ABSTAIN
Approved:
John Egofske, Village President
Page 16 of 15