by Andru McCracken
Nearly $3 million dollars of new funding for Valemount’s infrastructure may not be enough to stop a series of utility rate increases, effectively doubling Valemount’s utilities over a 10 year period.
When the Rocky Mountain Goat published news of the provincial contribution of $2,882,000 to Valemount, readers wanted to know whether that would mean a respite from utility rates. A series of planned increases will bring rates from about $600 per single family home to $1200 over the course of 10 years years, a hike justified by the need to create reserves for infrastructure repairs and replacement.
The 2.88M was part of a $100-million Northern Capital and Planning Grant, which provides funding for infrastructure and long-term planning to four regional districts (Fraser-Fort George, Bulkley-Nechako, Kitimat-Stikine and North Coast) and their 22 participating municipalities.
Mayor Owen Torgerson had this to say:
“Council is not currently reconsidering utility fee increases.”
Torgerson said that the Northern Capital and Planning Grant was invested with the Municipal Insurance Association until the village’s integrated asset management plan is complete later this year.
