Reading Township Supervisor Gretchen Mehalic this week proposed a 2.94 percent tax levy increase for the township and a 4 percent tax levy increase for the roads fund.

This represents a $3,111.05 increase over last year's extension for the township and a $5,246.85 increase for the roads. The board is expected to take action on the proposal at its Dec. 8 meeting. The proposal must be submitted to the Livingston County assessor by Dec. 29.

The township approved proposed changes to the budget. The board is proposing a loan from the inter-fund loan transfer to the sewer fund for the following line items: administration $40,200, easement $60,000, and legal services $44,200.

The proposed changes will be posted at the township office for 30 days beginning Wednesday, Nov. 25, and a public hearing will be in January.

Mehalic reported the annual financial report is finished, and the audit should be finished in the next two weeks.

In sewer business, the board reported they went to Champaign to submit an application for $5 million through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development division. The representative from USDA told the township that USDA will not process the application if the township agrees to the inter-governmental agreement with Streator for $22.50 per user per month, which is being mandated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. The USDA advised the township if they could get the IEPA to approve the township putting in their own treatment plant, then the USDA would accept their application.

Mehalic reported State Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, is pursuing $2 million non-discretionary funds through the governor's office, but the funds would come through a bond sale, so Mautino is not guaranteeing the money.

As it stands now, the projected cost per household per month is $82. Board Member George McMullen said the township would need a $5 million grant to get that rate down to the $50 range.

The township has begun billing residents' water bills for expenses incurred on the project to date.

Mehalic reported approximately 13 Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) surveys have been returned to the township out of the 90 needed. Township employee Virgil Taylor is going door-to-door to encourage residents to complete the survey, as it could aid in the township obtaining funding for the sewer project.

Rich Burton, township attorney, explained some details of a proposed Plan Commission. The commission would be established to hear petitions for variances from the sanitary sewer. To be considered for variances, residents must show they have a properly-functioning sewer system installed after August 2001, and has been inspected every six months. No variances would be issued for a period greater than 10 years.

There would be five members on the commission and members should be residents of the township and not serving on the township board. Burton said potential members of the commission who serve on other boards could be incompatible with the commission, depending on what position they hold.