Current Public Notices

CITY OF MATTOON, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
PRESS RELEASE

November 29, 2022

The City of Mattoon has been bidding the electric supply for our residents since 2013. We have saved each of our residents and average of $900.00 during that time. Unfortunately, our current bid is expiring. There are no good offers in the electric supply market right now to compete with Ameren’s standard rate.

The residents in our program will all be automatically moving to Ameren for 1 year. We intend to re-bid electric supply next fall if market conditions are more favorable.

Ameren has mailed the attached notice to the residents in our program. Residents have the option to select another supplier in the next 60 days if they wish. Residents are not required to do so. There is no action required in order to stay in our program. Residents are cautioned to study any offers that they receive carefully. The cost of electricity is at an all-time high. We have decided not to accept any long-term contracts for that reason.

Thank you,
Dean Barber
Public Works Director
City of Mattoon

To see a PDF copy of this press release, which includes a copy of the attached notice. Click here.

PRESS RELEASE

Several area cities and counties have been working together to bid electric supply for our residents. The cities of Charleston, Effingham, Mattoon, and Paris along with Coles County are nearing the end of a contract with a rate of 4.19 cents per kilowatt hour.  This rate will be expiring with the meter readings in December 2022.

Recently the buying group, along with our consultant Good Energy, worked to solicit new electric supply bids for our residents. We were unable to secure an offer with a satisfactory combination of price and duration due to the current volatility in the market. The group has decided to pause the aggregation program and to revert back to Ameren as the electrical supplier for our communities. The group intends to consider competitive offers again for our electrical supply in the fall of 2023.

Ameren’s current electric supply rate is 12.24 cents per kilowatt hour. Electricity bills in January will reflect the change of supply rates from 4.19 cents to 12.24 cents per kilowatt hour.

Residents and businesses in our electrical aggregation programs will be automatically switched to Ameren following the conclusion of our contract with Energy Harbor in December 2022.

Is important to note that no action is needed from our residents! No forms are required, and no one will contact residents to make the change. There are companies that may contact citizens offering electric contracts but they are not associated with the buying group.  Please use caution before entering contracts as sometimes the offers appear favorable but are actually more costly than Ameren rates.

Municipal Electric Aggregation was approved by voters in November 2012 as a way to buy electricity for our residents and small businesses at wholesale prices. Until now, each contract has been able to produce savings for program participants.  After almost 10 years, it is estimated that municipal electric aggregation has saved the residents of our communities over $800.00 per household.

Anyone who may need help with their monthly energy bills can find a list of township offices and not-for-profit organizations offering assistance programs on Ameren’s website. Qualifying households can take part in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is the federally-funded program that provides monetary relief for energy bills.  More information can be obtained by calling 1-877-411-9276 or visiting www.ameren.com/illinois/residentail/energy-assistance/liheap. Ameren also has energy saving tips and billing options available online.

With the rise in numbers of new Coronavirus cases and the Governor’s indoor mask mandate, the City of Mattoon will be limiting access to its public buildings.

In an effort to reduce the potential risk of spreading the Coronavirus to our staff and citizens the City of Mattoon has decided to limit the access to City Hall, Police Department, Fire Departments, Tourism Office and the Public Works Building.  We are asking the public to do as much business as they can by email, city website or telephone until further notice. Meetings can be setup by appointment.

• City Clerk’s Office:            (217) 235-5654
• Inspections Office:            (217) 234-7367
• Parks and Lakes:              (217) 234-3611
• Police Department:           (217) 235-5451
• Public Works Dept.:          (217) 235-5171
• Tourism Department:        (217) 258-6286

The City of Mattoon is continuing to deliver our services while monitoring and receiving updates by local, state and federal agencies. Our top priorities are the health, safety, and welfare of our residents, employees, and any visitors to our community.

The Mattoon Fire Department will be conducting annual flow testing, maintenance, and painting of fire hydrants throughout the City of Mattoon beginning July 26, 2021, and will continue until completed. Pending weather, this process should take 4-6 weeks to complete.

The hydrants will be flowed between the hours of 8am and 3pm

This testing is done to check flow rates to help provide better protection and response to the citizens and visitors of Mattoon.

During this time any landscaping that obstructs the view or operation of the hydrant will be trimmed or removed.

Hydrant flushing may cause discoloration of your household water in or near the areas being tested, which is a result of iron deposits being disturbed during the flushing process. Iron deposits can build up inside pressure tanks, water heaters and water pipes. It occasionally breaks loose, causing rusty water to flow when faucets are first opened.

Residents are advised to check their water for signs of discoloration prior to doing laundry. If you notice discoloration in the water, let the water run until it clears before doing laundry, this process usually takes less than 5 minutes.

Be advised the water is completely safe to drink at all times while this work is being done.

Jeff Hilligoss

Mattoon Fire Chief

Due to the spread of Coronavirus, the City of Mattoon will no longer accept payments directly from its customers at the Finance Office at City Hall.  The options for payment are online, by phone (844-701-1148, which is printed on all bills), by mail, or by using the drop box on the north side of City Hall.  Customers are encouraged to set up automatic payments by bank draft.  Those wishing to set up Water and Sewer service should contact the Finance Department by phone at 217-235-5483.

Mattoon, Illinois, March 14 – Mayor Tim Gover and City Administrator Kyle Gill would like the citizens of Mattoon to know the City of Mattoon is working to prepare for any impact the Coronavirus may have on our community. We continue to receive and share information with state and local health officials to ensure we are implementing the proper strategies to help reduce the risks of contracting or spreading the virus. We are working with the City Departments to determine how we will continue to service our citizens and visitors while minimizing the risk to both citizens and our employees.

The City recommends conducting business over the phone or using Internet resources when at all possible. We reinforce the need to follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on prevention or spreading the virus. Please be diligent in washing your hands and practice social distancing. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of this or any other virus should contact a healthcare professional or the Coles County Health Department.

Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Illinois Department of Health
http://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/coronavirus

Coles County Public Health
https://www.co.coles.il.us/cchd/index.html