City council voted today to keep the city’s water rates increase at nine per cent, instead of the 10 per cent increase recommended by city staff.
This means that an average household will be paying $50 more than last year. The difference between the nine per cent increase versus the 10 per cent means homeowners will save $4.
City staff asked for the extra one per cent in order to create a reserve fund to pay for capital projects such as sewer replacement and upgrades to prevent sewage overflow into the Ottawa River.
The extra one per cent would also have paid for new staff to help find the $2.7 million in efficiencies that council asked the city to find in wastewater operations.
Instead, council voted 13-8 to eliminate two of the 40 new full-time positions at the city’s water and wastewater services at a savings of $100,000.
They also identified $678,000 from development fees that had not been included in the department’s budget to weigh against the need to increase water rates.
Alta-Vista Ward Coun. Peter Hume says the decision is a mistake and that council is simply trying to make the 2010 budget look good instead of investing in future infrastructure spending that will cost the city more in the long-run.
“What we’re saying is, we’re not gonna take the money from you today, but we better tell them that we’re gonna take more from you tomorrow,” said Hume.
Hume also noted that there is very little flexibility when it comes to water infrastructure due to provincial legislation following the Walkerton tragedy.
“We’re going to look like fools if we pass an unsustainable budget and the province rejects it, it has been made very clear that we need sustainability in order to renew our operating license,” said Hume.
Gloucester-South Nepean Coun. Steve Desroches supported the motion to keep the rate increase at nine per cent.
“We all want to improve water quality, but we can’t do this at any or all costs and we need to send that message to the province,” said Desroches.
Council also approved $160,000 in funds for a new arch for the Chinatown gateway on Somerset Street.
Ottawa’s sister city, Beijing, has paid for the $300,000 in materials and is sending 26 artisans to construct the arch. However, the heavy pillars require alterations to the road and sidewalks in order to support their weight.
Ground-breaking ceremonies are scheduled for April.