City staff are recommending an 8.1% increase in water and sewer rates next year. The average metered household would see a $38.10 annual increase. Homes without meters will see a hike of 9.6%. because all homes have now been offered water meters and it is believed that un-metered residences use more water.
The proposals will go to a committee on Thursday morning at 9:30 am. Councillors will receive citizen delegations on the proposal starting at 1 pm. The increases are less than predicted because of reduced financing costs and a decision to spread out large annual increases over six years instead of three.
The previous plan was to impose 9.5% increases in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and then 3% per year after that. The new plan lowers the initial increases and raises those in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The circles in the graph below represent the old plan, while the squares set out the increases now planned over the next six years.
Source: City of Hamilton |
The city will take back control of the water and sewer system on January 1 after ten years of private operation. Staff are forecasting the plant operations will cost $27.7 million a year. About one-third is that for electricity, a third for employee expenses and the rest for chemicals, fuel, operating supplies and other expenses.
The staff report on the water-sewer budget can be found at http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/Clerk/agendas-minutes-reports/
committee-of-the-whole/2004/Dec09/PW04127.pdf.
