LOCAL NEWS: ALL SPORTS REGISTRATION EVENT ▼ A6
Times
Thursday, April 4, 2013 ▼ Volume 48 No. 14 ▼ www.clearwatertimes.com ▼ $1.30 Includes GST
THE
NORTH THOMPSON
MONEY FOR YOUTH:
United Way helps Clearwater young people. See A2 inside.
Andrew Harris holds up one of the treats he found (as he eats another) during Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department’s first annual Easter egg hunt on Friday, March 29. Close to 200 people, young and old, turned out for the event. For more photos, see page A11 inside. Photo by Keith McNeill
Blue Ribbon Runner-up Best All Round Newspaper All of Canada <1,250 circulation 2012
Infrastructure plan warns of $20 million funding shortfall Keith McNeill
Having a happy Easter
Second Place General Excellence B.C. and Yukon <2,000 circulation 2012
The five per cent increase in water rates for 2013 included in both scenarios would amount to $16 per household. The report points out that roads and sidewalks could be maintained at a lower level to save money. However, if the assets are allowed to degrade too much, costs could be substantially more in the long run. General revenues would have to increase by five per cent this year, 10 per cent in 2014, 15 per cent in 2015, and 10 per cent per year from 2016 to 2019 to follow a replacement strategy. The report recommends that, if a choice must be made, focusing on water utility rate increases rather than general revenue funded projects. Safe water and adequate fire protection should have higher priority than roads and sidewalks, it argues. Last Tuesday town council approved an 8.5 per cent increase in water tolls plus an eight per cent increase in sewer tolls. The two increases together would amount to
District of Clearwater could face a $22 million budget shortfall in 20 years if it doesn’t start spending more on infrastructure. That was the blunt assessment contained in the District’s infrastructure master plan recently completed by Urban Systems. According to the consultants, the municipality presently invests $200,000 per year on infrastructure, when it should be spending $1.3 million. The master plan recognizes that it would not be practical for capital funding to attain sustainable levels in the near term. However, it outlines a number of steps needed to address the funding shortfall in the longer term. For example, it gives two scenarios for water rates. The first would keep rate increases at or near minimum. The second would be above minimum, allowing reserves to grow. The first water rate scenario would see five per cent increases in 2013 and 2014, followed by 10 per cent increases each year from 2015 to 2019, reducing to five per cent per year from 2020 to about 2032. This scenario Graph shows the relative replacement cost of the four main elements of would require that District of Clearwater’s infrastructure. Total value of the four elements is major distribution upgrades be delayed $75.2 million. District of Clearwater graphic until near the end of the 20-year capital planning period. $45 per year for a house in Weyerhaeuser The second water rate scenario would subdivision. see a five per cent increase in 2013, folThe District is presently developing its lowed by a 15 per cent increase per year five-year financial plan. Input to let council from 2014 to 2018. Increases from 2019 to know what the community’s priorities are 2032 would drop to five per cent per year. is invited. An open house for a draft budThe second scenario would allow get presentation and a chance to provide upgrades to happen sooner, plus would input will be held Tuesday, April 9, in the provide more flexibility if another well District hall, 2 - 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. and/or improved treatment is needed.
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