Water rates are climbing for the seventh straight year in Yorkton, as City Council passed in 2013 rates at its regular meeting Monday.
Rates are climbing three per cent, which Lonnie Kaal, Director of Finance with the City noted was close to the projected 2013 Saskatchewan Consumer Price Index of 2.7 per cent.
The 2013 budget includes an additional $117,000 for sewer line replacement and accommodates administration expenses of $100,000, detailed a report circulated to Council Monday.
"The objective is to have $1,000,000 set aside each year for capital or transfer to reserves. The 2013 budget includes $933,395 surplus for capital/reserves compared to $1,102,000 in 2012. The decrease is acceptable given the extra dollars allocated to ongoing sewer line maintenance/replacement," said Kaal.
The report to Council included a comparison of water rates with other Saskatchewan cities.
"Yorkton is ranked sixth best on residential rates and depending upon consumption for commercial rates, Yorkton ranks between ninth and 13th best. These rankings change based on consumption and do not include the most recent rate hikes," it noted.
"With the proposed rates based on 5,500 gallons per month consumption for a typical household, the monthly bill will increase to $72.72/month from $70.60/month or a $2.12/month increase," said Kaal.
