Casey Council Meeting.2

Casey Approves Utility Rate Increases, Joins Regional Land Bank Authority

Casey residents will see increases in water, sewer and electric rates following Monday’s City Council meeting, as the city works to address ongoing budget challenges in its utility departments.

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 584, which implements new water and sewer rates effective June 1, 2025. The increases follow recommendations from the Public Utility Committee aimed at keeping the departments financially stable.

“We’ve gone many years without raising these rates and have done several studies that have cost us money for these studies for previous mayors to ignore and do nothing about it,” said council member Lori Wilson, who chairs the Public Utility Committee. “Unfortunately we are at this crossroads and need to adjust accordingly.”

The electric rate increase, which still requires formal approval, would raise residential rates from 11 cents per kilowatt hour to 13.5 cents, with annual increases of 1.5% if necessary. The city will maintain its 1-cent discount for customers.

Wilson explained that surrounding communities charge significantly more for electricity. “Coles-Moultrie is 20 cents, Norris Electric is 14 cents and IMEA average is 14.4,” she said. The state average is 20-22 cents per kilowatt hour.

The utility rate adjustments come as the electric department faced deficits of approximately $500,000. “We was down how much scale five was that one was 500 and some thousand,” Mayor Mike Nichols said during budget discussions.

Despite the increases, Casey residents will still benefit from the elimination of the 48% utility tax in 2021, which saved customers about $18 per month.

In other business, the council approved joining the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority through Resolution 061625A. The $10,000 annual membership will give Casey access to tools and expertise for addressing blighted properties.

Economic Development Director Tom Daughhetee will serve as Casey’s Community Representative to the land bank. He explained that the authority provides shared enforcement services and grant opportunities that smaller communities typically cannot access independently.

“Joining the land bank gives us access to different tools we don’t currently have to tackle those issues as well as access to staff and support for going forward additional grants from IDA and other places,” Daughhetee said.

The land bank has successfully operated in Vermilion County, Champaign County, and Mattoon, focusing on property rehabilitation rather than just demolition. The membership allows Casey to withdraw after one year if the services prove ineffective.

The council also approved hiring Chuck Mason as part-time tourism assistant at $16.50 per hour for up to 20 hours per week. Mason will staff the welcome center four days a week as downtown tourism activity increases.

Council members noted significant success from the recent Crazy Casey Days event, with tourists and visitors throughout downtown. “There were tourists and people all over the place all day long,” said council member Marcy Mumford.

Mayor Nichols announced he will be absent from June 24 through July 3 for a family vacation with his grandchildren.

Latest News Stories

Judge expands restraining order against 'Beto' O’Rourke, adds ActBlue

Judge expands restraining order against ‘Beto’ O’Rourke, adds ActBlue

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square A judge has expanded a temporary restraining order against former U.S. Rep. Robert (Beto) O’Rourke and his organization, Powered by People, as well as ActBlue...
Reversing Biden’s precedent, students complete FAFSA in minutes at beta-testing event

Reversing Biden’s precedent, students complete FAFSA in minutes at beta-testing event

By Tate MillerThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s Department of Education is working to restore the student aid FAFSA form after the Biden administration made what should be a couple-minute...
Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Monday in steps toward peace with Russia

Trump, Zelenskyy to meet Monday in steps toward peace with Russia

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square Following a “successful” meeting in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump said he is going straight for a “peace agreement” in a...
Possible 'agreement' reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

Possible ‘agreement’ reached in Trump-Putin meeting; more discussion likely

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square It appears an “agreement” was reached in the Friday meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and American President Donald Trump, but the nature of that...
WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

WATCH: Gun rights supporters celebrate 9th Circuit’s ruling against CA gun rationing law

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square Gun rights supporters are celebrating what they call a significant victory after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday overturning California’s...
Feds sue California over emission standards for trucks

Feds sue California over emission standards for trucks

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square The U.S. Department of Justice is suing California to stop what it calls “unlawful” emission standards for heavy-duty trucks. The California Air Resources Board is...
Illinois quick hits: 'Lawsuit inferno' bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday

Illinois quick hits: ‘Lawsuit inferno’ bill takes effect after Pritzker signed 267 measures Friday

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square 'Lawsuit inferno' bill takes effect Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which led the American Tort Reform Association to label Illinois...
WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

WATCH: UW-authored study on surgery times contradicts CMS basis for reimbursement cuts

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square New findings published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons contradict the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or CMS, claim that surgery...
State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

State defends gun ban district court ruled unconstitutional

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Ahead of oral arguments over Illinois’ gun ban in the federal appeals court, attorneys for the state...
Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

Trump aiming for ceasefire, world awaiting news from Putin summit

By Morgan SweeneyThe Center Square President Donald Trump is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska Friday in the hopes of negotiating a ceasefire or initial steps toward peace...
Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs 'lawsuit inferno' measure

Pritzker acts upon 269 bills, vetoes 2, signs ‘lawsuit inferno’ measure

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In a Friday announcement of the status of 269 bills, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation which...
Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

Report: average American to receive $3,752 tax cut in 2026 due to OBBBA

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square The White House is touting a new economic analysis that estimates taxpayers will see an average $3,752 tax cut in 2026, due to provisions in...
Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

Republican, Dem work to prevent deportation of entrepreneur

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square It is not every day that people on opposite sides of the political spectrum join forces, but that is exactly what Lisa Everett and Brent...
Nevada superintendent says ICE won't enter schools

Nevada superintendent says ICE won’t enter schools

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square The superintendent of the nation's fifth-biggest school district said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agreed to not conduct raids or arrests in schools in Las...
MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

MAHA-style bill would close food additive safety loophole

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square With deregulation-focused Republicans in Congress reluctant to fulfill the industry-wary goals of the Make America Healthy Again initiative, some Democrats are taking up the torch....