Open house for utility hike

Summerland's mayor and council have proposed an overall 6.51 per cent rate increase for the district’s water, sewer and electrical utilities.

The proposed increase would come into effect on Jan. 1, 2025 and cost the average single family home $17.25 more than they paid in 2024.

The breakdown of the cost increase is below, according to a district press release:

• Electrical – $8.31 per month, or a 5.66 per cent increase to the electrical budget with the main contributor being a 5.3 per cent Fortis bulk rate increase
• Water – $5.97 per month, or a 7 per cent increase to the water budget and an additional 1 per cent increase delayed until September 1, 2025 to offset financial impacts during the peak summer months. The increase is driven largely by escalating prices for chemicals and coagulants needed for treating drinking water
• Sewer – $2.97 per month, or an 8.08 per cent increase to the sanitary sewer budget with the main contributor being debt payments for the construction of a new primary clarifier at the wastewater treatment plant

“Rate increases are needed to keep up with operational and capital costs as well as reserve contributions to help with infrastructure renewal, including the replacement of a bioreactor for sewage treatment, burying power lines under Wharton Street, and separating treated and irrigation water mains under a key section of Victoria Road," reads a provided statement from Mayor Doug Holmes.

"It’s a council priority to invest in core infrastructure and the proposed 2025 utility budgets will allow us to continue to reliably provide these essential services.”

Further details will be presented to the pubic at a virtual open house on Tues, Nov 19, 2024 starting at 5 p.m., which will include a question-and-answer section.

Anyone can join the meeting for free, using this link. The district notes that should you be prompted, the meeting ID is: 884 2698 4651 and the passcode is: 536407.

Council will consider public feedback then come back together to make final decisions at the December 17 regular council meeting.