Illinois American Water has scheduled an informational meeting on April 10, 2025, from 5 to 7 PM, sparking interest and confusion as some residents receive notification cards. The meeting will be held at Kewanee City Hall. Mayor Gary Moore and Council member Mike Komnick have said they were not informed that a date for the “open house” had been confirmed. The meeting is aimed at gathering community input on the potential privatization of the local water system. While a decision has not been made and city officials stress impartiality, concerns loom over the capability of city employees to manage the system and the potential for rising water rates. The city council is actively exploring options, including maintaining local management. Mayor Moore said, “I am still not convinced we cannot run the waste water treatment plant and RO plant with our own employees, and I have asked our city manager to run the numbers to see if it would be cost effective. Even then, we still need to make major upgrades to water and sewer lines. To do this water rates will go up. I have met with our employees in public works and I do believe they are very capable of doing much of the work that needs to be done. Unfortunately, not all my fellow council members agree with me. That will not stop me from exploring that option.”
Officials urge the community to share their questions and concerns as they evaluate the best path forward, assuring residents their voices are crucial to the decision-making process. Mayor Gary Moore said, “I have to admit, I was a little confused when I heard people were receiving cards on this. It was my understanding schedules were being checked and an exact date would be determined.” “As far as my opinion, I am certainly leaning against privatization, but I am still willing to look at all options.”
Mayor Gary Moore said in a second Facebook post over the weekend, “If the vote comes tomorrow or a year from now, I will vote against it.” “There is one thing everyone seems to be forgetting when they talk of a “done deal” or offering concerns of higher water bills. Each one of your council members lives and pays bills right here in the City of Kewanee, just like most of you. We do not want to pay higher prices any more than the next person.”
Councilmember Mike Komnick expressed his unease after unexpectedly learning through social media about a premature meeting regarding the topic. According to Komnick, water privatization has only been addressed once in an open forum. He finds it alarming that backyard chickens have garnered more discussion time than the crucial issue of water services. Komnick remains opposed to privatization, stating he will vote against it. Due to scheduling conflicts, he will miss this upcoming meeting and criticizes the mailer for failing to sway his stance on the issue. “I had no advance notice of this meeting. I have been open-minded throughout this process so far, but I don’t think we are at the point of meeting with anyone to take over our service, and this meeting is way too premature.”