Water, sewer rates to see four percent hike

Local residents will be seeing a four percent jump in their water and sewer rates shortly now that the rates have been calculated for the year 2003 based on maintaining each of the reserves at no less than $1 million.
“During the 2003 budget process, we realized utility rates would be part of the overall increases,” Fort Frances CAO Bill Naturkach said Tuesday.
“We had to ensure the separate stability of the two utilities, not only for the operating budget but the reserves,” he added. “We determined that amount to be $1 million.”
Naturkach noted that as part of the town’s budget review process, it is trying to ensure dwindling reserve funds are bolstered.
“There are examples as to why that is in the town right now. There’s frozen services on our property because the frost is too deep,” he said. “The damage could have been worse, but that’s the kind of unexpected things that we have to be prepared for.”
Treasurer Diane Pearson’s report to council was received Monday night as part of a public meeting preceding the council session, but it won’t be up for vote as a bylaw until the March 24 council meeting.
If approved at that time, the new water rates will be as follows:
•Residential—$19.08 per residential unit per month;
•General—$28.63 per general unit per month;
•Couchiching First Nation—$1.35 per cubic meter;
•Meter rates—$0.67 per cubic meter;
•Minimum billing for metered rates—$28.63 per month;
•Couchiching hydrants—$72.49 per unit per month;
•Hydrants—$70.48 per unit per month; and
•Sprinklers—$8.90 per unit per month.
The sewer rates for 2003 will be:
•Residential—$25.18 per residential unit per month;
•General—$29.71 per general unit per month;
•Couchiching First Nation—$1.61 per cubic meter;
•Meter rates—$0.38 per cubic meter; and
•Minimum billing for metered rates—$29.71 per month.
The following collection provision shall apply:
•the above rates will be billed on a bi-monthly basis;
•the treasurer, not later that 21 days prior to the date the payment is due, shall mail or cause to be mailed the notice of water-sewage usage to the ratepayer;
•penalty for non-payment, in whole or in part, shall be added to the account on the first day of default and the first day of each month hereafter on any outstanding amount owing at the rate of 1.25 percent;
•effective March 15, 2003, all new tenant-occupied properties shall be in the name of the property owner;
•as per the Municipal Act, any accounts in arrears of water may be added to the Collector’s Roll; and
•as per the Municipal Act, water may be shut off for non-payment of arrears and not turned back on until all arrears and “turn on” fees and charges are paid in full.
Payments may be made as usual to the Town of Fort Frances.