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By Alison Sandstrom

Utility bills

No increase to P.A. water bills in the pipeline

Jan 21, 2021 | 5:56 PM

Prince Albert City Council has tentatively approved holding water rates for in-city users steady with no increase for the coming year.

Meanwhile Driftwood and Eastview trailer courts and Saskatchewan Penitentiary are set to see their bills increase from 160 per cent of in-city rates to 175 per cent of their in-city neighbours pay.

Over the course of five hours on Wednesday night, the city’s politicians whittled the 2.6 per cent increase for in-city water users proposed by city administration down to zero.

The most significant savings were found through capping spending on sewer line replacement and postponing a decision on buying new software for the water crane. Council also reduced the amount set to be put into a fund for future water utility projects, including potentially the new waste water treatment plant.

Councillors initially voted to cut a rebate for residents with septic tanks during Wednesday’s deliberations, but rescinded the motion when they reconvened Thursday after pushback from constituents, some of whom said they would be out as much as $160 per month if the rebate were discontinued. Instead council voted to have city administration prepare a report on the rebate for discussion at a future council meeting.

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Speaking to paNOW after Wednesday’s meeting, Mayor Greg Dionne said he was pleased with the outcome of water utility budget deliberations and the zero per cent rate increase for residents.

Asked if he was concerned that by reducing the amount of money going into the Water Utility Improvement Fund this year, the city could be put in a more difficult position in the future, Dionne said that worry was outweighed by the immediate needs of people suffering amid the pandemic.

“We know that the financial stress on our residents is a fact, it’s not a myth, so that’s why we’re doing it,” he said. “But if we’re out of COVID next year, we’ll play catch-up and people know that. People know if you don’t pay today, you’re going to pay tomorrow. But they understand what we’re doing today, and I do believe when tomorrow comes, they’re going to understand that too.”

Dionne said residents should expect a regular water rate increase of around 2.6 per cent in 2022.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom