Victoria County seeks water rate increases
Utility and review board to hold hearing in Baddeck
Victoria County has applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for a rate increase for water and water services.
It’s been eight years since the county applied for a water rate increase.
A hearing is scheduled for Thursday, May 18 at the courthouse in Baddeck, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Victoria County operates one water utility with four locations supplying water to residents in Little Narrows, Dingwall, Ingonish and Neils Harbour.
“We recognize in providing these services that it is an expensive undertaking,” said Victoria County Warden Bruce Morrison. “We have a limited number of users, that’s the reality of living in a rural municipality and it’s very difficult to recover operational costs.
“Areas like Little Narrows, they absolutely needed water because it was very difficult to find a suitable private water supply.”
Morrison added that in future council will look at having studies done on a more regular basis.
For residential customers, the average current quarterly water bill is $164.13, and it is proposed to increase to $189.63 in 2017-18 and to $195.94 in 2019-20.
The annual fire protection
charge paid by the municipality is currently $239,927 and the proposal would see it increase to $257,976 for 201718, $264,827 in 2018-19 and $277,531 in 2019-20.
Prior to applying to the review board, Victoria County commissioned consultant Gerry Isenor to conduct a water rate study.
The hearing on May 18 is open to the public.
Anyone wishing to make a presentation or cross-examine witnesses should file a request with the utility board no later than Wednesday, March 29, and submit a copy of their written evidence no later than Friday,
April 21.
Those wishing to speak at the hearing but not cross-examine witnesses may do so. Presentations will follow the order in which interested parties notify the board of their intention to appear. Such notification is to be given to the board on or before Tuesday, May 16.
Written comments can be forwarded to the Clerk of the Board, Box 1692, Unit M, Halifax, N.S., B3J 3S3, or by email, board@novascotia.ca or by calling the clerk at 902-424-4448, or fax 902-424-3919 no later than Tuesday, May 16.