The region’s most vocal water fee critic is once again making waves over the proposed 2011 rate schedule. Coldstream Coun. Gyula Kiss says the new fee schedule, which is up for consideration at the North Okanagan Regional District board today, does nothing to promote water conservation. “This year’s rate structure is a major step backwards,” Kiss told his colleagues at Monday’s council meeting. The base fee for water customers will go from $50.17 to $66.20. According to Kiss’ report detailing the impact on various consumption users, low users (80 cubic meres) would face a $95 increase, medium users (282 m3) would see a $75 increase, average consumers (350 m3) would have a $91 increase and high users (584 m3) would see a $128 hike in fees. Meanwhile those who are away or own vacant lots would and don’t use any water would have a $64 hike in their fees. “These are glaring examples of inequities,” said Kiss, adding that a fair system would recover infrastructure costs through taxation instead of a hike in water rates. He also proposes that a more reasonable increase would be a $63.63 base fee increase.
Coldstream Mayor Jim Garlick admits the numbers aren’t ideal, but is hopeful that over time and with continued discussion, things will change. “You will never get 100 per cent of what you want in that one year,” said Garlick. “It will be a work in progress. It won’t be something that’s solved in one year.” Coun. Richard Enns also applauded Kiss for consistently taking the time and effort to analyze numbers and push for equity.“Ever since I became involved in politics I always wanted to make sure the way we collect fees is fair,” said Kiss. “We also have another objective: to get people to conserve water.”
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Don Quixote Note: The figure used for vacant lot fees is incorrect. See Water Rates Increasing for Vacant Lot owners.
The vacant lot base fee charge will increase from $31.77 per quarter in 2010 to $66.20 on April 1, 2011. This represents a 108% increase ($137.72 annual increase).
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