Highland Park May Look At Water Rate Increase

HIGHLAND PARK (WWJ) - The  talk at Monday night's Highland Park City Council meeting is expected to bring out the protesters, as Council may discuss a nearly 50 percent water rate hike.

WWJ's Kathryn Larson reports that Highland Park Councilman Deandre Windom says if it's Council's pleasure Monday night they could pass a 49 percent water rate increase, and that spike could plunge a nail into the city's coffin.

"You will probably see a lot of people moving out of the city, they couldn't afford it, nobody can afford a 49 percent increase," said Windom.

Windom says Council discussion will also center around whether or not the city needs an Emergency Financial Manager , and Windom says he'll introduce a resolution against it.

"We do not want an EFM in our city, we see government taking care of the necessary changes and the necessary business," added Windom.

Windom says along with putting in code enforcers and inspection officers the city can bring new revenue into the city by using their own water plant and sell water.