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Water and sewer rates increasing in Kimberley
Kimberley City Council Report
By Nowell Berg
On November 12, City of Kimberley council held its regular bi-monthly meeting.
Councillors Sue Cairns, Kevin Dunnebacke, Diana Fox, Woody Maguire and Sandra Roberts were present along with Mayor Don McCormick. Coun. Jason McBain attended by video link.
An archive of the meeting is on the City of Kimberley YouTube channel. Watch it here.
Water and Sewer Rates Increase
Chief Financial Officer Krista Waite presented council with a request to increase utility fees, which council reviewed in detail at a previous Committee-of-the-Whole meeting.
Both water and sewer rates will increase five per cent starting in January 2025.
The sewer rate increase works out to $5.76 per household per quarter bringing the total to $120.96 per quarter, which adds “approximately $115,000” to the sewer fund.
The water rate increase adds $6.51 per quarter per dwelling. This means the quarterly fee rises to $136.83, which adds “approximately $131,000” to the water fund.
In its continuing drive to reach “full cost recovery” for bulk water rates, council approved an increase of 20% starting in 2025. Council also approved shifting the water measuring unit from gallons to cubic meters. The bulk water rate in 2025 will be $076 per cubic meter.
The primary bulk water users are RCR, for snow making at the ski hill, Trickle Creek Golf Course and Teck Metals.
Third Party Agreements
Council approved an agreement between the city and Military Ames for the placement of a service dog monument on the Platzl.
The monument will be constructed at 295 Spokane Street in a raised planter bed in front of the Bean Tree Cafe.
Council also approved the renewal of the RCMP Detachment occupancy agreement.
The agreement runs from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2029, with the option for two additional five-year terms. Based on a cost-sharing formula, the city receives approximately $6,000 in revenue from the occupancy agreement.
2025 Council Appointments
A number of committee appointments were made by council. Each lasts two years.
Coun. Cairns has been re-appointed to the Mark Creek Watershed Committee and the Nature Park Society. She has also been appointed to the Healthy Kimberley Food Recovery Depot.
Coun. Dunnebacke was re-appointed to the Kimberley Trails Society. He was also appointed to the Teck Sullivan Mine Liaison Committee.
Coun. Fox was appointed to Heritage Society and the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Coun. Maguire was appointed to the Youth Action Network (KYAN), Arts Council-Centre 64 Society, and will be the liaison for First Nations.
Coun. McBain was re-appointed to the Public Library Board and the Health Centre Society.
Coun. Roberts was appointed as the Chamber of Commerce liaison. She will also be part of the 2025 convention committee for the Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Government annual meeting.
Council also approved the appointment of the Manager of Community Development and Communication, currently Pam Walsh, to the Tourism Kimberley Society.
Mayor McCormick said these various organizations have a “material relationship with the city.” He tried to “balance” the needs of the organization and councilor’s work load. As liaisons to these organizations, councilors provide a “two-way communication” function between the organizations and the city.
Kimberley city council assembles twice monthly starting at 7 p.m., The next regular council meeting, and last for the year: December 9.
e-KNOW file photo
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