Summerside reconsidering increases to water, sewer and recreation rates
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Residents right here could not see water and sewer payments go up this 12 months in spite of everything.
Town introduced earlier this month, in its 2022-23 funds, that the utility fee would improve by about 5 per cent. The change is about to enter impact on April 1.
Nonetheless, Summerside Metropolis Council is now contemplating leaving the speed as-is for this 12 months and can vote on a movement to that impact at a particular assembly on Thursday, March 31.
The potential fee change was prompted by a bigger than anticipated surplus from the 2021-22 funds.
The movement into consideration would shunt a few of that cash into the utility’s coffers to offset the rise for this 12 months. A 3 per cent improve in recreation facility charges that was additionally going to be launched this 12 months can be eradicated as effectively. The rest of the excess would go into the capital reserve fund.
Mayor Basil Stewart informed SaltWire Community that the council has had ongoing conversations on these points because the funds was initially launched.
“There’s been some dialogue at finance (committee) and at council about the potential of some modifications and rearranging some issues. When the census got here out it modifications some numbers for town,” stated Stewart. “(However), sure there was some dialogue, however nothing has been accepted till the vote.”
After the preliminary funds presentation, a number of councillors expressed frustration that the charges would improve. They argued that with skyrocketing prices of important gadgets like meals, housing and petroleum merchandise, now was not the time to compound the scenario by elevating utility charges.
Nonetheless, these against the will increase had been outnumbered by councillors who argued that smaller incremental will increase are preferable to shock-inducing lump sum will increase that must be launched later.
Colin MacLean is a municipal reporter with the SaltWire Community in Summerside, P.E.I.
