Along with a new year comes the inevitable utility bill – and most likely it’ll be more than last year.
City of Trail ratepayers will see a nominal increase of $2.20 per month for water, sewer and garbage collection. The total bill amounts to $727 compared to $700.90 in 2015.
For those paying on or before the Feb. 29 discount date, the rate drops 10 per cent to $2 per month or $673 for the year.
Trail council endorsed the changes during Monday’s governance meeting, and bylaws will be up for three readings at Dec. 14 regular council prior to adoption in January.
Two other municipalities also have next year’s utility rate structure in place.
Warfield property owners will see a total increase of $30 when they open January’s bill, excluding their sewer utility. That rate, which hasn’t been determined, is collected on the property tax bill in June (in addition to $47 for the new pipe bridge).
Garbage services will cost $6 more and water, $24, totalling almost $500 if paid before Feb. 29.
A proposed five per cent increase is being considered for sewer and water ratepayers in Montrose.
That amounts to a total increase of $31.50 annually or $28.35 if paid before Feb. 29. The draft bylaw with the new rates is up for three readings at the next regular council, slated Dec. 7.
Montrose council reviewed its solid waste collection and disposal service in October weighing village rates against increased tipping fees at the McKelvey Creek Landfill. Rather than reduce service levels to biweekly curbside pickup, council opted to increase garbage bag user fees $1 or $3.50 per bag to cover annual costs of the service.
Garbage and sewer rates will be considered by Fruitvale council in early January, and levied in mid-February. Bill payment isn’t actually due until Oct. 31, though any amount outstanding Nov. 1 is subject to a 10 per cent penalty.
Rosslanders won’t be seeing their bill in January this year. After gathering public insight, city council opted to hold off and review the rate structure.
“Our old town has too many inconsistencies in how our pipes were installed to be able to put so much emphasis on pipe size,” explained Rossland Mayor Kathy Moore in a newsletter. “We are doing more work and will be coming back to the community with a new, tweaked proposal,” she added.
“It is our intention that fairness, affordability and consumption will feature prominently.“
