The city of Vernon is disputing a claim that legal fees arising from the water devolution process could reach one million dollars. Mayor Wayne Lippert and city officials issued a news release to say that figure is exaggerated. Lippert tells KISS FM, "Director (Mike) Macnabb (of Area C) came up with that figure just by throwing some numbers together that he was assuming was the cost of lawyers etcetera, and I just believe that it's excessively high."Lippert says if the distribution system is devolved, it will result in lower water rates for Vernon customers, better service, and a savings of 3 million dollars a year in subsidization of Areas B, C and Coldstream."We don't have a problem helping out the farmers, but we do have an issue with true agricultural use. We believe a lot of that is going towards people who may have agricultural classification, but they aren't actual farmers." Lippert says the costs of arbitration have so far been moderate and within reason."It can cost very little as long as everybody thinks of the greater good, and they sit down and actually talk, instead of digging their heels in and taking positions."The city's concerns with the water system were first raised in 2006.
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