Water and Sewer Rates Going Up

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 03:50 AM

Prince George, B.C.- As of the first of January, the flat rate paid for water will be going up by 5%. The new Council wants to make it clear it was not their doing.

This is a decision that had been made by the previous Council but the increase was not detailed in the bylaw which was approved in June of this year.

The new Council has approved a rate increase that will boost the bill for a single residence by $10.62 to $223.06 a year. Sewer Utility rates will increase for single family dwellings to $200.12 a year.

The increases are on top of the boost that took effect July 1st of this year, but the January 1st rates were not shown on the bylaw. Councillor Brian Skakun expressed concern about increasing the rates to taxpayers. General Manager of Operations, Bob Radloff says the increases are the result of debt payment rates not new expenditures or increased staff.

The way the system is set up right now, it can be expected there will be a five percent increase in these rates in each year of the next three years in order to make the system self sustaining and to have an surplus of 25% of the annual operating costs.

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Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 03:50 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: acrider54 on December 3 2008 5:48 AM

Without a doubt!

Posted by: Denaljo on December 3 2008 5:51 AM

Taxes up! up! up! Rates up! up! up! Utilities up! up! up! Now add on the costs for an art centre.Should I even mention the humungous bill for the Olympics?

Posted by: diplomat on December 3 2008 6:42 AM

"The new Council wants to make it clear it was not their doing.

This is a decision that had been made by the previous Council but the increase was not detailed in the bylaw which was approved in June of this year."

The devil is in the details and nobody is responsible. It just happens, it's beyond the control of human beings, or so it appears.

Posted by: Resident on December 3 2008 8:10 AM

When will the people at city hall quit considering the home owners of PG a cash cow. Just a 5% increase.
A $115,000.00 for the PAC people to continue down their merry road for a 50 million dollar facility that the majority of citizens do not want and certainly do not want to pay for.
Spend, spend, spend, is the legacy the outgoing council would like us to remember them by.
The cameron street bridge will not be completed on time and the contract price will have extras. As stated by the city worker "all contracts have extras". What an attitude. Some of these people should join the real world and get an education.

Posted by: mythoughts on December 3 2008 8:29 AM

Gee, I wish my wages went up 5%. Wasn't the increase last July 5% also? That's 10% in one year. Shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Posted by: MrPG on December 3 2008 9:07 AM

As much as I don't like rate increases for anything, they're a fact of life. If some can't deal with that, I'd suggest that they sell their houses and live 'off the grid' in a log cabin in the middle of the woods.

I heard on the radio that this is the first increase since 2004. I'm not naive enough to believe that the sewer rates would remain the same forever. These systems cost money to build and maintain. Either you raise rates or run a deficit.

Posted by: shanabro on December 3 2008 9:39 AM

Maybe all houses should have individual water meters and then you'll see what a deal you have!! City of whiners.

Posted by: gus on December 3 2008 9:50 AM

How much do water meters cost + installation? How much does the interest cost if bought over time?

I am under the impression that the city is installing them over the next 5 or so years. So that will be a total additional cost to the system with individuals having better control over actual usage so that some will be paying less with many more paying more.

Posted by: pisspulper on December 3 2008 10:17 AM

What is a Sewar?

Posted by: gus on December 3 2008 10:24 AM

It's an expensive sewer.

Posted by: ShannanigansB on December 3 2008 11:48 AM

Well that stinks.

Posted by: opine on December 3 2008 2:35 PM

I'm with you shanabro!

I fear the day that water meters will be mandatory. When it finally happens in PG I recommend stock options in artificial turf!

We take out water for granted.

Spend a summer in a US state that monitors and charges for water consumption and you will come away with a new respect for our abundance.

Posted by: Shellshadow on December 3 2008 3:46 PM

I now am in love with my septic system and water well. :)

Posted by: Old Hippy on December 3 2008 3:50 PM

Note to MRPG. I do live "off the grid" but still within city limits. My water and sewer are not installed or maintained by the city. They refuse me these services but still charge me the same city taxes as those in town. It's all a tax grab but at least they cant increase my water and sewer costs. Oh, and I too pay the tax surcharge for road repair but the city hasn't done any road maintainence in this area in years. One of the prices I pay for not wanting to live in the polution of the bowl area. Cheers.

Posted by: MrPG on December 3 2008 4:11 PM

Hippy, water and sewer are separate items on my bi-yearly city utility bill that I pay for. You're not saying that you pay these on your utilities as well? Your property taxes have nothing to do with water and sewer.

Posted by: bohemian on December 3 2008 5:31 PM

Re: PAC: "...majority of citizens do not want and certainly do not want to pay for..."

Shouldn't one wait for the results of a referendum before stating the results?

Posted by: lostfaith on December 3 2008 8:46 PM

I haven't talked to anyone that is in favor of the PAC except for a few here.
No one I know personally agrees with building one. I have read and heard more negative than positve comments on the subject.