City of Powell River Council gave first three readings to a waterworks regulations and rates bylaw, with proposed four per cent increases in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
At the February 27, 2025, special council meeting, chief financial officer Mallory Denniston said her report carried out direction from the committee of the whole meeting on December 17, 2024, that staff be directed to amend the waterworks regulations and rates bylaw to increase all rates by four per cent annually for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027. She said the water utility rates schedule expired in 2024.
“The proposed rate increases would increase the single-family residential rate by $14 in 2025, $15 in 2026, and $16 in 2027,” said Denniston. “Increasing the water user fees would result in an increase in revenue of approximately $120,000 annually. This increase partially funds the operating cost increases and the transfer to the water capital reserve fund, which must fund the estimated $42 million in water capital in the coming 25 years.”
Councillor Cindy Elliott asked if the increases were on par with the actual cost increases for operations, or were they slightly more to allow for extra reserves.
Denniston said a portion will be for operational cost increases, and a portion will be to increase transfer to reserves.
The first three readings passed unanimously.
According to a staff report, the single-family residential rate in 2024 was $360, and would be $374 in 2025, $389 in 2026 and $405 in 2027, if the bylaw passes.
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