Getting a charge: City’s electric cars can ‘refuel’ in town News A3
2X1.5 ASSOC TIRE
PROCESS
1710 Island Hwy, Campbell River 250-286-6132
Newsstand 85¢
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2013
www.campbellrivermirror.com
Council considers water, sewer rate hikes KRisten douglas Campbell RiveR miRRoR
Two suspicious blazes Monday are under investigation by the fire department and police. No one was hurt in either fire, but damages will run into the thousands of dollars. The first happened around 10:30 a.m. at a residential home located at
City council was expected to increase water and sewer rates at last night’s council meeting in order to pay for badly-needed improvements to the aging utility systems. Council was considering raising water fees by 10 per cent in each of the next five years and sewer fees by six per cent over the same period. That’s equal to $22 per month or $264 per year for water for flat user fees and $21 per month or $252 per year for sewer, up from the current rate of $20 per month for water and $20 each month for sewer. Ron Neufeld, the city’s general manager of operations, said without the increase, the city would need to take on $15 million in debt over the next five years to replace the old infrastructure. The city would also need $4.9 million in government grants, which are not yet secured, $13 million in third party contributions, $28.6 million from reserves and increases to user fees. “Upon review, it is apparent that the city’s water and sewer utilities are not financially stable or sustainable,” Neufeld said. “Currently, fees charged for water and sewer services only cover operating expenses, and approximately one kilometre of system renewal in both water and sewer. And, in both cases, we do not have enough funding to renew our aging system as fast as it needs
Continued on A5
Continued on A5
Suspicious fires under investigation
Paul Rudan/The MiRRoR
Firefighter Reid Wharton climbs out on the ladder to take heat readings from the roof. About 10 minutes earlier (pictured below), thick smoke was pouring from the soffits after a suspicious fire was started in the carport of this Delvecchio Road home Monday morning.
Paul Rudan Campbell RiveR miRRoR
$
10
00 STAT CARD GIF
36 10
$ RBUCKS
Coffee’s on us! *
c Valvoline Syntheti With purchase of a ge. an Ch Oil c eti nth Sy Blend or Full ires April 1, 2013 and exp *Mail-in offer begins le exclusively at Great ilab ava er Off 3. 301 June 30, . locations acorss Canada Canadian Oil Change
GCO $ 99 PROCESS
OFF
OR
Oil Change Coupon
Any Oil Change Coupon
Plus tax & enviro fee. Up to 5L of Valvoline oil and warranty approved oil filter. Some restrictions apply. Coupon expires April 30, 2013. Limit one coupon per customer. Must present coupon. See store for more information. Campbell River location only.
Plus tax & enviro fee. Up to 5L of Valvoline oil and warranty approved oil filter. Some restrictions apply. Coupon expires April 30, 2013. Limit one coupon per customer. Must present coupon. See store for more information. Campbell River location only.
1691 Dogwood St., Campbell River 250-286-4288 Mon - Fri, 8:30–5:30, Sat 8:30–5, Sun: CLOSED