City of Camrose

Fees and charges

By Lori Larsen

City of Camrose council unanimously voted to give first reading to Bylaw 3191-21 Annual Fees and Charges during the regular council meeting held on December 6.

During the Committee of Whole council meeting on November 15, council agreed with the previous council’s recommendation to increase fees and charges by five per cent in an effort to offset projected inflationary impacts on municipal levy funded activities.

As well, council directed administration to increase wastewater rates by five per cent to provide funds to pay for the additional $9 million debt required for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project; increase water rates by three per cent to prepare for large capital projects beyond the 10-year capital plan, which includes water treatment plant refurbishment, distribution upgrades and alternative water sources and a zero per cent increase on solid waste collection and recycling due to relatively strong reserve balances and limited assets.

Council comments

Councillor Kevin Hycha commented, “This was discussed in previous council and I don’t intend to try to hide that a fee is a fee and a tax is a tax. Even though our levy came in at zero per cent, there is a five per cent (increase) on fees and charges, but I truly believe if we don’t do something, we will be caught with our pants down and not able to fund certain projects and certain unexpected incidences that may arise in the future. I think this is the lesser of two evils and I think it’s the best way to go.”

Councillor Joy-Anne Murphy asked for clarification on the wording of the matter under the third bullet point under the heading Engineering/Building Services (page 18 of the agenda package) that reads “Under Gas Permits, Plumbing, and Miscellaneous Fees, all fees have been adjusted to reflect comparable rates. I wanted to clarify, I assume that meant adjusted slightly upward?”

City of Camrose manager of engineering Jeremy Enarson responded, “Yes.”

Instead of shopping online this Christmas, discover all the Camrose retailers that carry what you are searching for. It is important to support our local businesses this Christmas, now more than ever.

For full details visit the City of Camrose website at www.camrose.ca/en/index.

aspx.

The stage is set

CITY PAGE

FRANCHISE FEE INCREASE NOTICE

Please be advised that the City of Camrose is proposing to increase the local access fee, which is charged to FortisAlberta Inc. (FortisAlberta) for use of municipal lands for its power lines effective April 1, 2022. The fee is recovered by FortisAlberta from its customers as the local municipal access fee on electric billings of all customers that receive electric service in the City. This local access fee will be increased from $9.50 (14%) to $10.68 (15%) of the delivery charge of FortisAlberta, excluding energy related riders. This calculation is based on 640 kWh consumption in 30 days. Questions or concerns should be directed to Travis Bouck, General Manager – Financial Services, at 780-672-4426.

CAMROSE

CHAMBER

of Commerce 21124AA5

NO monthly or annual fees!