The District of Kitimat council has asked staff to report back with options after a bylaw that proposed an increase to residential and commercial water rates for the upcoming year was not given any readings.
The bylaw proposes an increase for both residential and commercial premises.
For residential premises for the months of January and February it would be $12 per month, then beginning in March it would amount to a total of $164 per year or roughly $14 per month.
Commercial premises have a declining payment scale based on how much water is used. The first 100,000 cubic feet could cost $1.025, then the next 100,000 will cost $0.911 then anything in excess of 200,000 cubic feet will cost 0.820 with a minimum monthly charge of $22.32.
“If we are going to go to changing the fees for additional consumption then we need way more information on the impact before we do that,” said Councillor Mario Feldhoff.
Feldhoff mentioned that before moving ahead council should get a better idea of what businesses would be impacted by this change.
“How many businesses out there are actually using that extra, I see the school board is also the same way where it goes down as with the commercial premises,” said Mayor Phil Germuth
A motion was presented to council that staff report back with options and effects for metered rates and users.
The motion passed five to one with Feldhoff voting against it. He cited that there were no shortages or complaints in relation to the water. He went on to explain that if it does become an issue it could be addressed in the future.