By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 13, 2009 4:00 PM
Greater Vernon residents could tap into higher water costs. The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee is considering increasing residential water rates 5.5 per cent as part of the 2009 budget. It’s projected that rates for agricultural users would climb 2.5 per cent. However, opposition comes from director Gyula Kiss. “Very few of our customers in Coldstream have received improvements to their water,” he said of rates going towards improved infrastructure. The increases are the results of inflation and GVAC proceeding with its master water plan. Recently, staff looked at how Greater Vernon’s fees compare to other communities. “We were the 11th highest of those 26 charge areas,” said Al Cotsworth, utility manager, adding that the average rate was $374.431 and it’s $390.52 here. When it comes to agricultural rates, Greater Vernon was the sixth highest of 26 billing areas. Work continues on the proposed 2009 budget and it must still be ratified by the North Okanagan Regional District.
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