OLDS – A bylaw increasing rates charged by the town for water, wastewater (sewage) and off-site levies is expected to come back to council for further discussion during its Dec. 7 policies and priorities meeting.
First reading of the bylaw was passed during a November council meeting and is expected to come back for final approval on Dec. 14.
If the bylaw is passed, the new rate increases are expected to take effect as of Jan. 1 next year.
Following are the anticipated rate increases.
For residential consumers, the metered consumption rate for water would rise to $2.89 per cubic metre from $2.84 per cubic metre.
The metered rate for wastewater would rise to $4.53 per cubic metre from the current rate of $4.48 per cubic metre.
For non-residential users, the metered rate would increase to $2.89 per cubic metre from $2.84 per cubic metre.
The metred rate for wastewater would rise to $4.99 per cubic metre from $4.94 per cubic metre.
In the case of the fire department, rates for response by fire engines, water supply apparatus, rescue and wildland apparatus would each rise to $630 per unit per hour from $615 per unit per hour.
The rate for callout of the command/support unit would rise to $185 per hour from $180 per hour.
The cost for responding to three or more false alarms a year would rise to $630 per alarm from $615 per alarm.
The rate for security alarms routed to the fire department would also rise to $630 per response from $615 per response.
Rates for repairs to the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA -- the oxygen tank and related equipment firefighters wear) would be set at $50 an hour.
The rate for SCBA flow testing would be set at $75 per pack (including mask).
The rate for SCBA mask flow testing would be $25 per pack (if not with the pack).
And the rate for SCBA fit testing/APR (air purifying respirator) would be $20 for both masks.
Rental of the department’s Drager system 64, a portable live fire trainer, would be $500 per day or $1,000 a week.
Propane/OSB for use during training is the responsibility of the user or cost plus 15 per cent.
All of the SCBA rates as well as Drager-related rates have no previous rate listed in the bylaw.
In regard to rental of the fire training facility, the charge for consumables would rise to 15 per cent plus admin fee from 10 per cent plus admin fee.
In the case of off-site levies, the schedule lists a 1.8 per cent increase as well as increases in every category from water storage facilities to road systems.
