April heralds water, sewer increases
By Nelson Daily Editor
By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily
It’s official: water and sewer rates are going up.
City council continued with their long-range plan to use a steady and calculated stream of increasing tax levies to replace its aging and crumbling infrastructure.
No debate was necessary Monday night at City Hall to hit Nelson taxpayers with a seven per cent increase to sewer rates (around $25.20 extra) and a nine per cent jump in water rates ($35.10 extra) for a total increase for a single family dwelling of $60.30 ($810.90 overall for 2011).
Only Coun. Kim Charlesworth was recorded opposed to the increase.
City council had agreed three years ago to begin the task of replacing aging and crumbling infrastructure in the two utilities.
However, the City has to find a better and a more equitable way to fund the city’s commercial customers, Coun. Charlesworth contended.
City staff received some direction through two workshops last month on how to address the rates. They are expected to make a report to council within the next two months on their findings and council will be dealing with that issue this year.
The rate increase will be in effect starting in April.
