The city of Yellowknife may decrease multi-residential water and sewage rates by 0.7 per cent per year, while trucked customers could see a 9.6 per cent hike.
The latest “rate rebalancing” to the water and sewer rate was proposed at a committee meeting on April 14.
A representative from InterGroup explained that residents hooked up to piped water and sewer services will overpay for those services in the future if they remain on the current rate structure. On the flipside, residents who rely on trucked services will be underpaying if they remain on the current rate structure.
The city was provided with a detailed analysis of the water and sewer revenue requirement to meet the costs of water and sewage services.
The consultation firm provided detailed cost of service models for separate water and sewer utilities to assist with planning and analysis to manage the system into the future.
The consultants recommended reducing water and sewage rates over the next three years, beginning in 2026. They recommended reducing the rate by 0.7 per cent per year for the average multi-residential customer and by 1.7 per cent for the average commercial customer.
For the average trucked customer, the consultants recommended increasing rates by 9.6 per cent each year for
The proposed rate change would mean a 5 per cent increase in rates to average trucked services customers for three years.
The company proposed that the change take place through phases in the next few years (beginning in 2026) to spread out the utility bill impact over time.
The city also heard other recommendations by the consult group. Other recommendations included the development of additional sewage disposal charges for trucked customers who require more than two trips per week
Another proposal being considered is the development of a “non-resident bill surcharge,” at a rate of 10 per cent, added to “nonresident rates.”
City staff have not made a decision yet on the proposed changes to the utility rates. A decision is expected sometime in June.
The review and the proposed changes can be accessed through the city’s website
True North FM reached out to city council members for more details and will share those when they become available.
