Homeowners can expect to see an increase in sewer rates in 2020.

City staff presented council with an asset plan at this weeks meeting and an increase in sewer rates was a part of the conversation. Deputy Mayor Dale Bass says that money will go into reserves to continue work on Tranquille Road. “Everyone benefits when we repair our roads, especially the major arteries like that. So it might seem like a lot of money to you, it doesn’t seem like a lot of money to me and the end result is having the money to actually repair the roads. Because if you don’t fix the infrastructure under there you run the risk of having some catastrophes there.”

That 7% sewer rate hike in 2020 equals about $29. That will come on top of the 15% hike homeowners were hit with this year, which was about $54. Bass says it’s in part needed because it’s cheaper to have the money than to borrow it. “It costs a lot to replace infrastructure and roads. I mean look at West Victoria right now it is $18 million. We have the same aging infrastructure on Tranquille Road that has to be replaced.”

The public are invited to the Sports Centre Lounge at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre on Wednesday, November 27 for a consultation session on the 2020 municipal budget. It begins at 7:00 pm.