Officials hope to bring some rationale to the cost of water.
Greater Vernon Advisory Committee members met Thursday to discuss a future structure for residential, commercial and industrial water users.
“We’re setting up the philosophy and how we establish them,” said Mike Macnabb, chairperson.
Revenue is required for the master water plan, which could include $100 million in infrastructure.
Staff suggested that shifting more burden on to business customers could negatively impact economic development, but director Bob Spiers disagrees.
“The cost of water doesn’t add much of an increase to a product,” he said.
“I don’t think we will drive any business away because of it.”
Spiers is also frustrated that it was initially believed 2013 rates could climb three per cent, but they could be higher because low users will now starting paying for water, even under 20 cubic metres.
“Mine has gone up 15 per cent,” he said.
“We left here and everyone thought it was three per cent. Did everyone know what they were voting for?”
Directors have instructed staff to present a water rates calculator on each category when rates change in the future.
“We need something that shows what the increases are, what they are actually going to pay,” said director Bob Fleming.
Director Gyula Kiss would like to see revenue generation shift from user fees to taxation.
“With water rates, you always have to guess how much (money) you need,” he said.
“If people reduce water, revenue is less so you have to increase rates.”
