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Expect utility rates to rise by $150 a year for residents in Penticton

City staff proposed a higher increase of $163.20 a year to council on Oct. 6
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Utility rates are expected to rise by $147.96 in 2021 according to a proposal to council on Oct. 6. (Black Press File)

Penticton residents can look to pay close to $150 more in yearly utilities in 2021. The average resident will see their yearly utility bill go up by $147.96, or $12.33 a month.

The proposal for changes to the fees and charges bylaw was presented on Oct. 6 to council, who asked that the city remove changes to electrical costs during their third reading. Council unanimously voted against an increase of one per cent to electrical charges.

Commercial properties will have their monthly bills increase by $87.29, and industrial by $339.39 a month.

The changes are on top of the change from a discount structure to a penalty structure that was approved by council on Sept. 15.

READ MORE: Penticton residents can expect utility rates to rise in 2021

Sanitary sewer costs would increase by a total of 22.9 per cent. That would include 9.4 per cent from the the 2019 rate review, 0.5 per cent to cover a predicted loss from the change from discount to penalty structure for payments, 8.5 per cent for predicted revenue loss, and 4.5 per cent to cover planned projects.

The costs for treated water would increase by 6.9 per cent, with .6 per cent from the 2019 rate review, 0.5 per cent from the payment structure change, and 5.8 per cent to cover estimated costs for some projects.

Agricultural water would increase by a total of 9.8 per cent. Development cost charge changes are expected to come later.

The changes are expected to provide the city with additional revenue of $1.6M in sewer charges, $191,450 in storm sewer charges, and $619,495 in water charges.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Brennan Phillips

About the Author: Brennan Phillips

Brennan was raised in the Okanagan and is thankful every day that he gets to live and work in one of the most beautiful places in Canada.
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