Council choses fixed water rate system

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Bathurst city council has agreed to move forward with the plan for a fixed water rate for residential users and a three per cent rate increase for commercial users.

City treasurer Sonia Gauvin presented the proposed fixed residential rates for 2024 to council during a special public budget meeting Oct. 30.

The proposed annual fixed residential rates are: $336 for those who have the option of water and sewer but don’t connect; $825 for a single family home; $657 per unit for a two-unit dwelling; $598 per unit for a three to four-unit dwelling; $697 for a five to 10-unit dwelling; and $712 per unit for a dwelling of 11 or more units.

Gauvin said the cost to bring water to multi-family dwellings like duplexes or apartments is the same as a single family home because they only require a single service connection, which is why the cost is discounted.

“Since multi-family dwellings are far more sustainable than single-family homes, it is important to incentivize the development of these multi-unit dwellings to combat the detrimental effects of urban sprawl.”

The cost for larger apartment buildings is higher because they require larger connection lines and have water service for extra elements like sprinklers, which increases the cost, Gauvin said.

Gauvin told council the proposed rates are high enough to account for bylaw changes including a subsidy for low-income seniors and those who choose to pay the entirety of their annual bill in January.

The 2023 water rate is $8.82 per 100 imperial gallons, making the average household water and sewer bill, including the water and sewer connection fee, $845.13.

The city’s water rates have increased annually since 2019, which caused people to reduce their water consumption or invest in water-reducing measures, Gauvin said. Since budget projections are based on water consumption, the budget is imbalanced, leading to further rate increases.

We have many people in this area on a fixed income in the $20,000 range trying to support a household and now their water bill is going to increase a lot,

Penny Anderson

At an earlier public budget meeting, Gauvin explained the city’s metered system is in need of a complete overhaul that isn’t financially feasible, and more staff would need to be hired to continue the current method. She also said there are people who are not submitting their water meter readings, which causes other issues for the city.

Council raises concerns

Mayor and council had concerns about what type of assistance the city would be able to provide seniors and other low-income individuals who end up with a substantial increase to their bill with the fixed rate.

“We have many people in this area on a fixed income in the $20,000 range trying to support a household and now their water bill is going to increase a lot,” said deputy mayor Penny Anderson. “I have an issue with it.”

Gauvin said rebates would need to be decided when the bylaw is reviewed for the new fixed rate.

“I’m confident with the rates that are there we could still modify and adapt it to meet the needs,” she said, adding it may also mean a reduction for some, like a single-parent household with multiple children.

Coun. Michael Willett said he’s heard from many seniors this year who were stuck with extremely high bills for water leaks they didn’t know they had.

We have many people in this area on a fixed income in the $20,000 range trying to support a household and now their water bill is going to increase a lot ... I have an issue with it.

Deputy mayor Penny Anderson

“Imagine trying to budget that into your savings that you’re going to lose $1,200 or $1,400 on a water bill,” he said. “If you were on a fixed rate, they wouldn’t have that kind of bill coming in.”

Coun. Stephen Brunet said he feels seniors are already being hit hard by increased property evaluations and can’t afford another increase.

The majority of council agreed to move ahead with a fixed rate instead of another rate increase under the metered system for 2024. Councillor Stephen Brunet was against it, while coun. Darryl Branch and Anderson felt they had more questions to be answered.

Council unanamously agreed to increase the commercial rate to account for the sector’s reduced water consumption in 2023.

The vote on the final version of the 2024 budget is expected to take place Nov. 20.