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PUBLIC SERVICE

Council forgoes salaries

Move will help offset water and sewer bills

Marshall Helmberger
Posted 11/24/15

COOK— Members of the Cook City Council are giving up their modest salaries next year to help reduce water and sewer bills for local residents and businesses. The council made the decision at their …

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PUBLIC SERVICE

Council forgoes salaries

Move will help offset water and sewer bills

Posted

COOK— Members of the Cook City Council are giving up their modest salaries next year to help reduce water and sewer bills for local residents and businesses. The council made the decision at their regular meeting last Thursday, and it isn’t the first time that the council has taken such action to help the city pay for the cost of infrastructure.

“They feel it is a privilege and honor to serve the people of Cook and they recognize the burden the water rates put on the businesses and homeowners,” said City Clerk-Treasurer Theresa Martinson. “They have always recognized the fiscal responsibility of protecting the infrastructure investment.”

Cook water and sewer customers currently pay a base rate of $54 a month, which is helping the city cover the cost of a city-wide upgrade in recent years. Recent improvements include new water, sewer, and storm sewer lines, a new elevated water tower, and upgrades to the city’s sewer pond. The city’s water and sewer infrastructure is now 95 percent new, according to Martinson.

Currently, Cook’s mayor receives a monthly salary of $150, while councilors receive $100 per month. The councilors and mayor will begin serving on a strictly voluntary basis beginning in January.

Also on Thursday, the council approved a one-year reduction in the PILOT payment from the Cook HRA to the city, from the current ten percent to five percent. The payments from the HRA also go to the county and the school district, so the city plans to contact those entities to see if they would accept lower payments as well. “The Council is recognizing the financial situation of the HRA and wanting to protect that housing asset,” said Martinson.

In other business, the council:

• Heard an update on the city-wide deer bow hunt, which netted 22 deer, including 15 adult does, two adult bucks, and five fawns.

• Referred a petition from residents of the Pioneer and Homestead Apartments for a speed limit sign near the two facilities to the city’s maintenance department for review.

• Approved the hiring of Lois Pajari and Gwen Schrecengost as clerks and stockers at the municipal liquor store.

• Okayed having Nancy Reing and Brooke Fischer co-direct the city’s ambulance service while Director Mankowski is away for the winter. 

• Adopted a new volunteer policy and new hours for the Cook Library for 2016. New hours will be Tuesday – Volunteer Day – 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

•Heard an update on the hiring of a recreation attendant in time for holiday school vacation season and the winter ice skating season.