Lumby raises water, sewer and garbage rates

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 23, 2012 1:00 AM
It’s going to cost more for water in Lumby.  Council has given three readings to the water rates bylaw for 2012. “We’re trying to get the utility to the point where we can cover depreciation and operation costs,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. The base rate is going from $12 to $12.35 per month, while the consumption rate is increasing from 64 to 66 cents per cubic metre. Coun. Jo Anne Fisher voted against the rates, saying residential customers are subsidizing industrial and commercial users. “They are the largest users of water and there is no incentive for them to reduce their use of water,”  she said of non-residential customers. Fisher says there is a need for the village to identify commercial and industrial users and establish a plan. Council has also given the green light to sewer rates. The base rate will go from $12 to $12.35 a month while the consumption rate is climbing from 40 cents to 41 cents per cubic metre. Residential garbage is going from $11 to  $11.36 per month and recycling is increasing from $1.75 to $1.79 per month.