Water rates to rise 23%

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

Village of Kinuso residents could see their water bills rising by as much as 40 per cent in the next year. The village’s water provider, the M.D. of Big Lakes, met June 13 and decided to hike rates to $1.01 per cubic metre from .821 cents effective Oct. 1. That represents a rise of just over 23 per cent. The proposed increase to $1.20 or a 46 per cent increase was shunned. Council heard from CAO Gilles Lussier, who informed them that rising production costs warranted the increase. Council also heard, in fact, that rates did not increase the last several years meaning the M.D. was subsidizing Kinuso users more than they should. “In past years we have not been recovering at a rate we can be,” says Lussier. “That’s a substantial increase,” noted Reeve Myler Savill of the proposed 46 per cent hike. “That’s the result of not doing it for several years,” says Banana Belt Councillor Alvin Billings. “You’re right,” says Lussier. “It is substantial given that it hasn’t been looked at for a number of years.” Kinuso Councillor Ken Killeen noted that a substantial increase could be the final nail in the coffin as far as Kinuso remaining a municipality. He feared a big increase could result in the village disbanding. Gilwood, Triangle Councillor Ken Matthews had a different opinion. He noted a recent increase to Enilda resident’s was for $2 per cubic metre so Kinuso was still getting a good deal. A vote to increase the rate to $1.20 was defeated in a tie vote. “We have to change the rates,” says Billings. “Prices keep going up. We have to inform them.” A motion to increase the rates to $1.01 was passed. Kinuso residents pay 80 per cent of costs to produce the water because of an agreement with council. Kinuso paid for some capital costs of the water line, thus earning the right for a cut rate.

Copyright © 1999-2005 South Peace News. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster