The Village of St. Joseph is beginning an exploratory process to better understand the full range of market options available for the future of the community’s Sewer System. As part of this effort, the Village is soliciting proposals from qualified entities interested in purchasing or operating the system.

This solicitation is not the decision to sell the Sewer System.
It is a fact-finding step intended to help the Village evaluate whether potential partnerships or a sale could: Reduce long-term operating costs, Provide opportunities for rate reductions for residents, and Position the system for continued, sustainable investment.

Gathering this information now allows the Village to compare multiple paths forward and understand how current market conditions may provide benefits to the community.

This process does not authorize or commit the Village to sell the Sewer System. It does not predetermine any outcome. Any future decision, if considered, would involve public meetings and opportunities for public comment/input.

This step simply allows the Mayor and Board of  Trustees to evaluate real-world proposals and determine whether any option provides a meaningful advantage to residents.

To support the community’s understanding of this exploratory process, the following documents are available for review:

• Overview of the Village’s decision-making considerations

• Independent Engineer’s Assessment of the Sewer System

• Authorizing Ordinance permitting the solicitation of proposals and Request for Proposals (RFP) issued to prospective bidders

These materials provide background on system condition, regulatory considerations, asset value, and the Village’s evaluation framework.

Residents with questions about this exploratory Bidding Process can reach out to Mayor Jim Page (jim.page@stjosephillinois.org) and/or Village Administrator Joe Hackney (joe.hackney@stjosephillinois.org).