Households to pay 3.7% more for services

Metro’s proposed 2017 budget sees higher rates for water, sewer levy

The average regional household can expect to pay $452 next year for the services it receives from Metro Vancouver — an increase of 3.7 per cent, or $16, over what it paid in 2016.

During the past four years, households have seen increases of between $5 and $9 per year.

Information about the proposed budget for 2017 was presented to members of the Metro Vancouver board of directors during a budget workshop on Friday.

Metro Vancouver is made up of four entities that provide services such as drinking water, liquid and solid waste services, regional planning, regional parks and affordable housing, to the 2.5 million people who live in the region.

According to budget documents, the average water rate will increase by 3.2 per cent, resulting in a $4 increase to the average household. Assuming that household uses 241.6 cubic metres of water each year, it will pay a total of $162 for water next year.

The sewer levy will be increased by 5.5 per cent, an increase of $10 per household. The total cost of sewer services will be $190 for the average household.

Tipping fees at regional solid waste facilities will not change. The total household cost, assuming the average household produces 54 per cent of a tonne of solid waste per year, is $56 for 2017.

These fees appear on municipal utility bills. The regional district tax requisition, which shows up on annual property taxes, is set to increase by $2 per household, a 4.2 per cent increase. The average household ( based on $860,000 home value) will pay $44 next year.

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan expressed concern that residents of single-family homes — particularly those worth more than the $860,000 average — will shoulder the burden of the cost increase.

“In actuality, the impact is significantly higher on some of the homes in our region,” he said.