Kamloops council narrowly votes in favour of 25 per cent water utility rate increase

In its report to council, City of Kamloops staff mentioned there are supply chain challenges and market inflation that adds to the costs on various water utility materials, along climate change driven events and municipal growth and public demand.

Prior to the vote, Councillor Hall said he would be in favour of spreading the 25 per cent increase over multiple years. He added council and the city need to look at a utility rate review.

“We need to evaluate the financial sustainability of water, sewer, waste and recycle. Evaluate and look at recommendations that might come from that rate review so that we can apply it moving forward in a more holistic way,” Hall said in council chambers.

On the other end of the vote, Councillor Stephen Karpuk says it may finally be time for the City of Kamloops to play catch up with utility rates.

“I think the steady as you go, zero-based budgeting, three-year cost average got us into a predicament,” Karpuk said in council chambers. “We already made a decision. Whether you thought about it before or you didn’t, this is a cost we have to pay some how.’

The full report from city staff can be read here.

by Aaron Schulze

Kamloops council narrowly votes in favour of 25 per cent water utility rate increase

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