Utility fees increase passes

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As planned in the town’s budget for next year, council approved a scheduled increase to utility charges.

Strathmore town council passed its 2021 operating budget on Nov. 4, which included planned increases to utility fees. Council has now formally adopted these increases, after unanimously passing a fees amendment bylaw during its regular meeting on Dec. 2. The change takes effect on Jan. 1, 2021.

Utility fees will increase by two per cent from 2020. These include bulk water fees, maintenance and conveyance charges, consumption rates, unmetered rates, turn on or off charges, meter fees, sewer rates, sewer consumption charges and administration fees. As an example, bulk water will cost $5.35 per cubic metre, compared to $5.25 in 2020.

The late penalty rate (2.7 per cent) is unchanged. However, the flat charge for an outstanding utility bill or failed payment (e.g., not sufficient fund cheques) also increased by two per cent.

Additionally, the town increased its utility allowances, which are monthly charges that fund the town’s utility infrastructure reserve fund, by $1.50 per month, from $6 to $7.50. This increase is made up of a 25-cent increase for water, sewer, solid waste and recycling, and a 75-cent increase for the storm sewer infrastructure charge.

These changes were made in accordance with the town’s 2021 long-term financial plan, explained Mel Tiede, the town’s director of corporate services, during the meeting. 

“These increases will preserve the principle of utilities being self-sufficient and not relying on tax funding,” he said.

Invoicing changes

Also during the Dec. 2 meeting, council passed a water administration bylaw, which provides for utilities to be charged on a monthly basis, now in effect.

Previously, the town’s utility department billed utilities through two routes: one at the beginning of a month, and the other at mid-month.

However, as part of a 2020 capital project, the town implemented new remote water meters (SENSUS) using communication towers and new software. With this system now operational, all utility accounts will be billed on the 25th of each month. It has also automated some of the utility department’s procedures, resulting in decreased staffing requirements.