Sundre residents who receive a monthly gas bill can expect to see a whopping $10 reduction this December.
Of course that number, which represents an average, might fluctuate a bit depending on a household’s overall consumption rates.
Council decided during the Nov. 19 meeting — with two members opposed — to redistribute a refund from Gas Alberta Inc., which is the Town of Sundre’s supplier, to customers.
As a result of gas management and hedging activities during the fiscal year ending on June 30, 2018, the company is refunding $2 million to its shareholders, which includes Sundre, Linda Nelson, chief administrative officer informed council, stating that the municipality’s piece of the proverbial pie would be about $14,600.
But instead of having a sizeable chunk of change to offset future pipeline replacements for the municipally-owned gas system, for example, all customers are getting a few extra bucks.
So what are you planning to do with those additional pennies in the piggy bank — fill up less than a quarter tank of gas, subsidize the cost of one single lunch, or perhaps buy a lotto ticket or two?
Because that essentially insignificant amount is not about to make anyone’s Christmas dreams come true.
Generally, I would agree with the old adage not to look a gift horse in the mouth. But coming from someone who is not exactly flush with excess disposable income, I still personally would — as a local taxpayer — nevertheless have gladly passed on such a pittance knowing the lump sum could have modestly padded reserves to reduce dependency on taxation for future gas department projects.
The simple fact is that all of our combined $10 — give or take — would have collectively contributed more than $14,000 to the municipality’s coffers. The surplus funds would have been restricted specifically to the gas department, but that still made much more sense. Upgrades and maintenance on the municipality’s gas infrastructure are as inevitable as the tide. Even though there are already reserves in place, how does the saying go, the more the merrier?
After all, the more funds that are available in reserves for future projects, developments and upgrades, the less the municipality will have to rely on taxation.
I would like to think and truly hope that $10 does not represent a monumental difference that will make or break someone’s Christmas or ability to pay his or her rent, mortgage or bills.
But not having available an additional $14,000, which itself is admittedly a rather modest amount for major projects, could still potentially mean a minor tax jump later.
To my mind, making minor sacrifices today for more meaningful gains in the future is a far more fiscally prudent policy approach than a half-hearted attempt to offer what amounts to nothing more than a postural gesture.
At any rate, I hope our readers manage to make the most of their $10 — just don’t spend it all in one place!
