Gleichen utility costs hurt senior budgets

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Russel Smith, a former mayor of Gleichen, attended Wheatland County council’s meeting Nov. 7 to query the council on the water lines and rates for Gleichen.
Smith said his water rates had doubled and he wanted to know if the new water line was the cause. Council answered that water rates increased long before the water line was put in. The Gleichen treatment plant needed replacing and staff said they saved over $1 million by collaborating with the Wheatland Water Corp. line. Grant money also paid for a good portion of the project.
Staff said the rates were increased in an attempt to cover treatment costs for water. Rates were subsidized by the county.
“We are trying to go back to a user pay system, to cover the actual costs of the system,” said Mike Ziehr, Wheatland County’s manager of transportation and utilities.
Smith took exception to the costs for sewer treatment, stating that some of the water did not return to the sewer system. Ziehr said the county allows a 70 per cent return rate for water to the sewer system. He added that the rates charged are lower than some municipalities and are based on an analysis done last year.
Smith said these increasing utility rates are a significant burden for seniors on limited budgets. He asked council to help and respect seniors who had made contributions to the county for many years.
“There are no increases in incomes for seniors to cover these costs,” said Smith.
Councillor Amber Link said this is a “hit” to senior’s budgets and added that she has heard from residents in the area on the matter. She asked if council could find some ways to help consumers.
Reeve Glen Koester said council could discuss possible measures at budget time. CAO Alan Parkin said residents can reduce their water consumption and get rebates from the county for low water use fixtures.
Seniors can get emergency help for utilities arrears once every three years from the province through Alberta Seniors and Housing, if given a disconnect notice. The account must be in the applicant’s name. Low-income seniors who rent may be able to qualify for community housing or subsidies through government programs that include utilities.

Clogged sewer lines
Clogged sewer lines or broken pipes can lead to expensive repairs. Determining whether it is the county or homeowner’s responsibility is sometimes a difficult matter.
Wheatland County’s updated Water and Wastewater bylaw 2017-19 sets out clarifications for residents and county staff on responsibilities should sewer lines become blocked or frozen.
“The new bylaw will allow the utility department to adequately compensate ratepayers for repairs that occur as a result of county infrastructure failure. As well, the county will be protected from compensating ratepayers for damage as a result of landowner caused issues,” said Mike Ziehr, Wheatland County’s transportation and infrastructure manager.
Lines can block up when roots penetrate the pipes, or old pipes corrode, or digging and ground shifts damage pipes. One sign of trouble is water burbling up out of household drain outlets. If that happens, it may be a good idea to consult a plumber, who can clear simple problems, or at least scope the line to determine if there is damage that is more extensive. Wheatland County states in their bylaw that property owners are responsible to keep sewer lines on their property free of debris, and provide adequate cover and insulation on the lines. Lines to the property are the county responsibility and lines at the property line to the house are the property owner’s responsibility.

Remuneration for council
Pay raises can be a contentious issue and Wheatland County’s new council members questioned whether they should forgo a raise this year due to economic downturns.
“We have been through this process before,” said Councillor Ben Armstrong. “In the past, council dealt with our own per diems. Several terms ago, we put it out to the public so that it takes it away from council making their own decision for their own remuneration. As council we have no input as to what the outside group decides.”
The rate suggested by the citizen panel was one per cent. Wheatland County Councillor Scott Klassen said it is important to listen to recommendations put forth from the appointed committees.
John MacArthur, Wheatland County’s human resources manager, said a number of factors are used to determine the rate, such as cost of living. Reviews will be done in 2019, including comparisons with other municipalities for conference reimbursements. It was asked that comparisons be brought forward for council information.
“I don’t want the perception to be that we are doing it for the money,” said Councillor Tom Ikert.
Council voted to increase their per diem and honorarium amounts by one per cent effective Jan. 1, 2018.

Property arrears lead to auction
There were 51 properties in tax arrears this year in Wheatland County. This lead to five properties that were put up for auction, as owners did not arrange for payment. Inquiries and bids can be made at the Wheatland County office. Properties are sold as is.