Water and sewer rates in Moorefield could be going up by 10 and 11% respectively this year.
On July 8, Mapleton council received a report from Director of Finance Mike Givens that outlined the proposed changes. He told council his department has come up with forecasts of operating revenues and expenses for 2008 based on year-to-date data.
“Utilizing the forecasted numbers the monthly sanitary sewer rate should be raised to $29.85 while the monthly water rate should be raised to $32.45,” Givens said in his report.
Current Moorefield rates are $26.88 for sewer and $29.55 for water, for a total monthly bill of $56.43 and an annual cost of $677.16. The proposed increases would raise the total monthly bill over 10% to $62.30, for a total annual charge of $757.60.
Givens explained the proposed increases are “not a catch-all solution” to the township’s lagoon problems, but a reasonable, “forward-thinking” adjustment.
Councillor Dennis Craven expressed concern about the size of the increases. “That’s a 10% increase – that seems a bit steep,” Craven said. He asked if it is possible to impose a 5% increase this year and another 5% increase in 2009.
Givens replied council could decide whatever it likes, but, “These numbers, in my opinion, are more realistic than what we had.”
Councillor Mike Downey said in all fairness, the new rates do not really represent a 10% increase, but are simply a reflection of the previous rates being 10% too low. After all, he added, the rates are based on cost recovery.
Givens agreed, and noted the current rates are really just a best guess at proper levels. He said now, after the Moorefield system has been in service for more than a year, the township has a better idea of the proper level for rates.
He also added the proposed increases would bring the Moorefield rates more in line with those for Drayton households, which pay $30.98 for sewer and $35.20 for water, for a total monthly cost of $66.18 and an annual fee of $794.16.
Although staff and most councillors seemed to be in favour of the increases, nothing yet has been approved. The township must first follow provisions of its notice bylaw, including a public meeting.
