Prepare to pay more for water, sewer and electrical service in Summerland next year.
Water and sewer rates are expected to rise by five per cent beginning Jan. 1, while electrical rates are expected to rise by two per cent.
The water rate increase does not include agricultural water.
At the municipal council meeting on Monday evening, David Svetlichny, director of finance for the municipality, told council the increases will help to bolster municipal reserve funds.
“Over the past few years, council has identified the importance and the need of increasing capital reserves that were, at the time, extremely minimal,” he said. “Although strides have been made over the years to increase utility reserves, significant investment is still needed in order to support the long-term needs of the community.”
As of Jan. 1, 2018, the municipality had $6.6 million in reserves. However, Svetlichny said the municipality’s estimated replacement costs of all utility infrastructure is $344.1 million.
For a typical home with two adults and two children, the projected increases will mean water costs of $752, sewer costs of $395 and electrical costs of $1,627 for the year.
This works out to a $35 increase for water, a $19 increase for sewer and a $32 increase for electrical service.
Municipal council will hold a special meeting on Friday, Dec. 14 to adopt the proposed rate increases.
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