Water, sewer rates remain on track for five per cent increase
Posted January
31, 2013
As New Tecumseth councillors move to adopt the 2013 draft budget next
Monday that will raise the average municipal share of property taxes by
7.8 per cent or $116 over last year, water and wastewater rates are
poised to increase alongside by five per cent, a scenario that has not
changed, nor been discussed, since first tabled on Jan. 7.
The increased rates would go into effect April 1, and push the cost of
water from
$1.66 per cubic metre to $1.74. (One cubic metre equals 246 gallons)
and the same rate for wastewater which is apportioned equally to actual
water usage. The higher rates, which follow last year's five per cent
hike,
are estimated to raise $360,000 in additional revenue to operate the
urban services.
Overall, the Town is projecting $4.9 million in revenues from water and
$7.5 million in wastewater.
Water expenditures are estimated at $5.2 million in 2013, and $7.5
million for wastewater. About $490,000 in water reserves will be
transferred to wastewater operations to balance the budget.
Servicing the debt including on the regional sewage treatment plant,
and upgrades in Tottenham, will cost $3.34 million, down slightly from
$3.35 in 2012.
