City of Powell River councillors have given first three readings to the south and Westview harbour rates and regulations bylaw, with an amendment to increase some rates.
At the December 2 city council meeting, councillor George Doubt proposed a five per cent increase for mooring rates in those harbours.
Doubt said for a commercial fishing vessel, the rate per foot per day in advance would remain 26 cents; per foot per month in advance would be $2.01, up from $1.96; and for three months or more in advance the charge would be $1.73 for commercial fishing vessels, up from $1.69.
For pleasure and commercial non-fishing vessels, per foot per day in advance would go from $1.03 to $1.05 and the per foot per month three months in advance rate would go from $5.13 to $5.25.
“The south harbour and Westview harbour in a previous report show a shortfall of revenue over expenses of about $50,000 in the year,” said Doubt. “This is a small increase that’s reflective of inflation since the last time the rates were changed. The impact is minimal and it will go some direction to helping recover the cost of the south and Westview harbours.
"It’s a reasonable thing. I know there are more changes coming later but this generally restricts the amount of money taxpayers have to put in to keep the harbours going.”
Councillor Rob Southcott said he supported Doubt’s arguments for increasing the rates.
“I think the day rate for pleasure and non-fishing commercial vessels is way too low compared to what it is around the [Georgia] Strait,” said Southcott. “I’m going to wait for staff to bring us back a report and I’m assured it will happen before the summer season this coming year.”
Mayor Dave Formosa said it appeared Southcott was saying the day rate for pleasure and non-commercial vessels was way too low.
Southcott said rates in other locations are around $1.50 and up to $2 per foot.
“We’ll keep a keen eye on that,” said Formosa.
Councillors unanimously approved the increases, which will have to go to final reading and adoption at a later council meeting.
