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By Justin Dionne

Utility bylaw rate amendments to go before future council meeting

Jan 22, 2019 | 11:16 AM

Utility rate amendments might be on the way for residents of the city.

The Infrastructure and Protective Services Committee made the motion today to bring the utility rate amendments to council.

The City’s Manager of Energy Management and Environmental Services Michelle Gairdner says the changes would result in an increase in water/wastewater costs, and a decrease in solid waste services fees.

“Every two years Aquatera comes forward with amendments to the utility bylaw,” says Gairdner. “Those are primarily rate adjustments. Last time we did a rewrite of the bylaw. This time it’s a rate adjustment and the good news is for solid waste services, it’s decreasing by six and a half percent.”

Gairdner explains along with a 6.5 percent decrease in solid waste services fees, the proposed changes will include a bump in water/wastewater costs. She explains we’re currently below the median of what other municipalities pay for water/wastewater province-wide.

“With our water/wastewater, we’re having a two percent increase. We’re below the median on that one, so this is basically for capital cost increases as well as cost increases. The one thing that is really unique about Grande Prairie and the use of Aquatera is that frequently rates are supplemented through general revenue, whereas ours is very cost-accounting. We are paying exactly what it costs for our services” says Gairdner.

Gairdner notes the money from the two percent increase is going towards improvements such as shoring up the bank where the water intake is located.

“As we grow, we’re going to need a bigger intake. Aquatera mentioned as a delegation they’re looking at upgrades to the bank. They’re shoring up the bank, so making it more stable. They’re using bioengineering which is a great way to do it. It’s not rock and it’s more cost-effective and an environmentally better way to do things.”

The rate amendments will be a topic of conversation at a future council meeting.

by Justin Dionne