DITCH THE SANDWICH GET CREATIVE WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL LUNCHES {page 21}
FALSE JOLIE DENIES
BABY, WEDDING REPORTS
DOGSLED THROUGH THE JAMAICAN COUNTRYSIDE TRAVEL {page 20}
{page 16}
EDMONTON
Wednesday, August 31, 2011 www.metronews.ca News worth sharing.
Battle. Alberta
Water rate increase on tap More should pay for firefighting service costs: City report Bylaw proposes paying through water utility bill instead of property tax HEATHER MCINTYRE
@METRONEWS.CA
Calgary Viper C.J. Ziegler slides safely into second base, despite Edmonton Capital Matt Rogelstad’s attempted tag in last night’s first game of what promises to be an exciting battle of Alberta. SHELLEY WILLIAMSON/METRO
Provincial rivalry in full swing Tonight the teams bat it out at Telus Field for Game 2 of a bestof-seven in the North American Baseball League’s North Division championship.
Higher water utility bills could be on the table and the city wants everyone to dive in. Firefighting water and infrastructure services have been paid through property taxes, but with a five-year contract coming to an end Dec. 31, a bylaw headed for a public hearing tomorrow suggests those who aren’t subject to property taxes should also pay. The amendment proposes the services be charged through Epcor water utility bills. “There are a number of businesses … that don’t pay property taxes, so that means they also don’t pay anything at all for fire protection,” said chief financial officer Lorna Rosen. Charging institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals,
places of worship and not-forprofits means “a more appropriate distribution of public fire protection water service and infrastructure costs among all users of the service is achieved,” states the report. The average homeowner would pay from $17 to $21 in 2012 as part of their municipal property taxes, which would rise to $29 through their water utility bill should the amendment go through, said Rosen. The average commercial rate would be about $115 per year. The increase is due to the $7.6million budget this year rising to $8.9 million next year. “It’s predominantly due to growth,” Rosen said. “We’ve added neighbourhoods and fire hydrants for service, and other common infrastructure.” Rosen said she anticipates those who haven’t been paying
Report details Residential water customers account for 72 per cent of the total cost of annual public fire protection water services. Single-family residential property owners represent 45 per cent of the total fee collected. Transferring the cost from property taxes to water rates would mean that 800 properties that do not pay municipal property taxes would pay, generating approximately $370,000. Condo owners will likely pay through their condo fees.
through property taxes to speak at the hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. at the utility committee meeting.