The biggest dollar-value increase for Kamloops taxpayers next year will likely come from sewer rates.
Finance director Kathy Humphrey says the city is recommending a 2.5 per cent increase, which would cost the average homeowner an extra $11 per year.
“The increases in the sewer rate over the past few years have been gradually building up our reserve, in order to address future asset management needs, as well as to address the management of biosolids and other projects we know we have coming on the sewer side.”
Humphrey says next year’s increase in sewer rates would help cover costs of a major, multi-year sewer main project on Tranquille Road.
“Specifically helping to finance the resources to complete phases two and three of the Tranquille Road sewer main replacement without incurring any debt.”
Phase two of the project started this year, between Southill and Singh streets, and the remaining portion will be done next spring and summer between Singh Street and 12th Street. Phase two will cost $11 million once it’s finished.
According to the city’s website, phase three of the sewer main project is “tentatively planned for 2025 or beyond,” to happen between Southill Street and Crestline Street.